Quite an unusual situation unfolded in Game 4 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers on Monday night.
After a scoreless first period, with the Panthers dominating the Lightning in shots down 3-0 in the series in an elimination game, Tampa Bay seemingly opened the scoring in the second on a wicked Alex Killorn deflection. But the Panthers then countered with a challenge from head coach Andrew Brunette, arguing that the puck hit the mesh netting — and was therefore out of bounds — right before that scoring attempt.
Wait what?
After a near 10-minute review, the goal was waived off due to hitting the mesh, setting the score at 0-0 once more.
After (a very long) review…NO GOAL.#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/laiML593Ae
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2022
But that’s not all! The Lightning then scored again mere minutes later, this time from Nikita Kucherov off a face-off play. This time, however, the goal was called off because Anthony Cirelli passed the puck with his hand, an illegal maneuver in hockey.
Not so fast… Cirelli passes with his hands after the draw.
Once again, there's a Coach's Challenge for a missed stoppage. Should be a minor penalty as well, but…
Brunette now is 2-1 on challenges in the playoffs, 2-0 for missed stoppages. pic.twitter.com/2zr9EtTF60
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 24, 2022
Another Bolts goal is under review for a faceoff violation 👀 pic.twitter.com/nCVOP3JxA7
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2022
And again…NO GOAL (Pt. II). #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bFzZBl5cKO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2022
What a completely bizarre turn of events! I’ve never seen two goals called off within minutes of each other in any NHL game… ever. They were, however, the correct calls at the end of the day, giving the Panthers a bit more life to stave off elimination.
