NHL “War Room” needs a refresher on the NHL Official Rulebook

(My apologies….I had to use a YouTube clip based on FS-North’s broadcast, as opposed to the video player on the NHL.com’s website.)

Wild fans everywhere have seen this goal, either in person last night at Xcel Energy Center, on television, or from the NHL Situation Room’s very own official blog.  It has raised the ire of many, especially when you dig a little deeper, you realize that the people in charge clearly don’t know what their own rules mean.

First, let me give you the quoted rule posted in last evening’s blog post from the Situation Room:

According to rule 49.2 “a goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct motion to propel the puck into the net.

However, whoever wrote that up last night, left out one important word.  Here is the OFFICIAL wording from the NHL of Rule 49.2:

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net.

See the difference?  I do.  Seriously, if you’re going to quote a rule on your official blog, at the very least get it right.  However, what is even more egregious, is that they based the call on their selectively (or creative) wording of that rule, however, they forgot the possibly even more important rule, that being Rule 38.4 (iv).  This is the rule that actually defines what a kicking motion is:

A DISTINCT KICKING MOTION is one which, with a pendulum motion, the player propels the puck with his skate into the net.

Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term “pendulum” simply think of your classic grandfather clock.  One’s leg must make that motion in order for it to be a “distinct kicking motion.”  Now, watch last night’s official video from the NHL again.

I know I didn’t see a “pendulum motion.”  What I saw was Minnesota’s Nick Johnson attempting to stop, in order to not run Detroit goaltender, Jimmy Howard.  Had Johnson continued to skate, and a goal was scored, it would have been called back for goaltender interference.  Plus as one Wild fan stated on the Wild’s official message boards, “Yeah, everybody who tries to kick in a goal does so from 15 feet away.”

With that rather liberal and selective usage of the NHL’s rules, it’s not a surprise that it went against the Wild, considering last night’s opponent.  Heck, even the Red Wings broadcasters (who are decidedly homers) said it was a goal.  For some reason, the league feels a need to “protect” certain teams like Detroit.  Most fans would argue if Minnesota was playing a “lesser” team, the goal would have stood.  In fact, if last night’s opponent was say, the Columbus Blue Jackets, it would have counted, because according to Columbus fans, the league has a conspiracy against them.

So NHL, if you’re going to make the rules available to anyone with an internet connection, you better make sure you get them right.  Plus, you’re dealing with fans like myself, in hockey-smart markets.  We know the rules, too bad you don’t.