This offside call is as close as it gets in hockey and it cost the Florida Panthers a goal in a big way.
During Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers lead the Panthers in the early stages of the second period on Friday. The Oilers doubled their lead to 2-0 within the first minute of the second period, but the Panthers were able to get one back on a goal from Aleksander Barkov mere seconds later.
However, the Oilers weren’t satisfied with the play and challenged it for offside, as the Panthers’ zone entry before the goal wasn’t clean. After the play went to a review, the officials called Barkov’s goal back, as Sam Reinhart was in the zone just barely ahead of Carter Verhaeghe and the puck.
After the Panthers thought they cut the Oilers lead in a half, a coaches challenge for offside goes the way of the home team. pic.twitter.com/wiqOzY5gLj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 22, 2024
At first glance, given the call was a goal on the ice, you’d expect the goal to stand with how close it was, but it’s clear the officials saw something to overturn the play. Nevertheless, what a tough way to lose a goal on an extremely close offside. Especially since the goal would have possibly tilted momentum the Panthers’ way while keeping Game 6 a one-goal game.
