The Western Conference Finals Game 3, had many long time hockey fans thinking — Wow! I have never seen that before. What now??? Does it count???

Just when you think that you have seen it all, a player head butts the puck into the net and then……..?????

NO GOAL!!

Deep into overtime in a 2-2 tie between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago forward Andrew Shaw appeared to have ended the long overtime game by head butting the hockey puck into the open net. It was just like a star soccer player heading the puck into the net. The celebration was even the same. The Blackhawks celebrated, and the Ducks all stood in disbelief. The officials gathered, and many fans wondered what next, including myself. We all ran for our rulebooks to get clarification. There it was rule 78.5 Disallowed Goals:

NHL 2014-2015 Official Rulebook:

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the
Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public
Address Announcer for the following reasons:
(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.
(ii) When the puck has been kicked using a distinct kicking motion.
(iii) When the puck has deflected directly into the net off an official.
(iv) When a goal has been scored and an ineligible player is on the ice.
(v) When an attacking player has interfered with a goalkeeper in his goal crease.
(vi) When the puck has entered the net after making contact with an attacking player’s stick that is above the height of the crossbar.
Where the puck makes contact with the stick is the determining factor. See 38.4(vi).
(vii) When video review confirms the scoring of a goal at one end of the ice, any goal scored at the other end on the same play must be disallowed.
(viii) When a Linesman reports a double-minor penalty for high-sticking, a major penalty or a match penalty to the Referee following the scoring of a goal by the offending team, the goal must be disallowed and the appropriate penalty assessed.
(ix) When a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck after making a save. See also 69.6.
(x) When the net becomes displaced accidentally. The goal frame is considered to be displaced if either or both goal pegs are no longer in their respective holes in the ice, or the net has come completely off one or both pegs, prior to or as the puck enters the goal.
(xi) During the delayed calling of a penalty, the offending team cannot score unless the non-offending team shoots the puck into their own net. This shall mean that a deflection off an offending player or any physical action by an offending player that may cause the puck to enter the non-offending team’s goal, shall not be considered a legal goal. Play shall be stopped before the puck enters the net (whenever possible) and the signaled penalty assessed to the offending team.
(xii) When the Referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle.
(xiii) Any goal scored, other than as covered by the official rules, shall not be allowed.

The officials made the correct call, and the marathon game continued. It was a classic game that ended deep into the third overtime when the Chicago Blackhawks scored to win the game 3-2. The series is now tied at 1-1, and has all the makings of a classic series.

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