What was referee Kerry Fraser thinking last night? His brain cramp cost the Leafs 2 points last night. Sundin's goal would have put the Leafs up 3-1, potentially sealing a victory, but of course that didn't happen. Let us examine Mats Sundin's goal last night...I mean Mats Sundin's goal that was called back.
Big Alexei Ponikarovsky is battling for position in front of Rick DiPietro, he's cross-checked and pushed into DiPietro by Brendan Witt, with his stick getting caught between the goalies pads. At the same time, Mats Sundin collects the puck in the corner, fires the puck at the net. Ponikarovsky is out of the crease when the puck crosses the line, but his stick is still between DiPietro pads. From looking at the replay, it is noticeable that DiPietro is grabbing Ponikarovsky's stick. Fraser delays his call for a few seconds, then waves the goal off, saying there was “incidental contact". What is 'Incidental Contact"? Does it mean they ran into each other by accident? If it does, how can you call a goal back because of accidental contact? It's part of the play. Does a play get blown down every time 2 players accidentally run into each other? Sure this example involved a goaltender, but a player from his own team instigated the contact by forcing an opposing player into the crease. A blown call in my opinion in a very important game that cost the Leafs, dropping them to 10th place in the conference.
Kerry Fraser Has A Brain Cramp
Posted by Mark in Main
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