The Maples Leafs are on a bit of roll, wining 6 of the last 8 games. They played another quality game in front of Andrew Raycroft, who was excellent all night. The Leafs 2-1 victory over the Rangers should have been a 2-0 shutout. The puck was shot towards the net, as Brendan Shanahan was battling for position he lifted his skate off of the ice, and turned it towards the net. The shot of course deflected off his skate and past Raycroft, costing my fantasy team valuable points. They immediately went upstairs for a video review, but the goal counted. I was dumbfounded. It was obvious that he intentionally used his skate to direct the puck towards the net. Between my shouting at the TV, calling them names that shouldn't be written, and the mocking I was taking from my girlfriend in the other room, they explained that he didn't use a 'kicking motion' as it's written in the rule book. In my opinion, if a player intentionally lifts his skate off of the ice, turns it to knowingly direct the puck towards the net, it's more or less a kicking motion. I've seen goals in the past been immediately waived off, or been called back after a review. This situation will no doubt get the interest of the NHL big-wigs, and a I can see them re-writing or adjusting the 'kicking motion' rule.
Another Quality Game Thursday, February 01, 2007




