COLUMBUS, Ohio – The NHL said human error – specifically the actions of an officer in exuberant training outside the ice within the Nationwide Arena – led to a controversial goal and the bizarre chain of events that followed in the 6-5 loss to Carolina on Sunday.
At the end of the second period, the Blue Jackets challenged a goal by Hurricanes striker Vincent Trocheck, believing the play was blocked. After a quick review, the goal was allowed to remain, and the Jackets went to the penalty spot because the challenge was unsuccessful.
If you found the call bizarre – the repetitions showed Trocheck clearly in the area in front of the puck seconds before the goal was scored – get ready for an explanation of how it all went down.
The league, it seems, has never really kept the “good goal” decision. They were still in the process of reviewing the play when the wrong information was passed on to the NHL referee …