Former NHL senior referee Kerry Fraser chimed in on the controversial shootout goal from Thursday's game in Toronto that Coyotes' goaltender Mike Smith tried to hide under his pads.
In his column on TSN, Fraser called the situation "ridiculous" and argued that referees should have the authority to review controversial goals at ice level and make the final call in real time.
Here's his line of thinking:
This very 'late' decision by the on-ice referee Thursday night following video review highlights at least two flaws in the current system. The first is that two different standards can be applied in determining goals. Video review must clearly see the puck across the goal line with an unobstructed view before they will verify a goal. The evidence must be unequivocal! If this can't be achieved video review personnel render an 'inconclusive' verdict even in cases where it appears logical that the puck would have crossed the line.
The referee, on the other hand, as we saw demonstrate on this call, allowed a goal to stand by applying logic, common sense and the power of deduction to determine that in his judgment the puck had crossed the goal line.My recommendation is to provide the referee with the authority to review controversial goals at ice level (including goalkeeper interference) and have the final authority and judgment in these matters. The optics on JVR's ultimate goal determination looked ridiculous!
Read the full column here.
