Referees call the play 'no goal' but the Situation Room reverses the call in shocking fashion

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Andrew Loftus
January 2, 2023 (9:43)

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Last night was quite the night for Sharks defender Marc-Edouard Vlasic. He skated in his twelve hundredth career NHL game, all with the San Jose Sharks. Vlasic has been remarkably consistent and healthy for the Sharks throughout his career. Not only did Vlasic reach this milestone, his team easily beat the Chicago Blackhawks, and Vlasic was even credited with a goal in the victory.

After watching the replay of Vlasic's goal a few times, I was a little surprised that the goal counted. Vlasic pinched in from his left point position and skated toward the Chicago net. As he got close to the net, Matt Benning passed the puck cross ice where the puck went off the inside part of his right skate. The initial call from the referee was no goal. However it was reviewed and it was determined that it was not a direct kicking motion and Vlasic was credited with the goal. It sure seemed like this call could have gone either way.

You have to be happy to see Vlasic get credited with a goal in his twelve hundredth career game. Vlasic is not known for his scoring touch, so to see him get one in a milestone game is pretty special for him and for the team.

The NHL gave the following reasoning:

Video review determined that the puck deflected off the skate of San Jose's Marc-Edouard Vlasic and that there was no distinct kicking motion. Rule 37.4 states, in part, "a puck that deflects into the net off an attacking Player's skate who does not use a 'distinct kicking motion' shall be ruled a GOAL. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking Players' skate shall also be ruled a GOAL, as long as no 'distinct kicking motion' is evident.