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Mon Jan 02 07:33pm EST

Lundqvist vs. Briere penalty shot: Classic’s made-for-TV moment

By Greg Wyshynski

Lundqvist vs. Briere penalty shot: Classic’s made-for-TV moment

PHILADELPHIA — John Tortorella was a happy coach after his New York Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic.

Well, save for the officiating in the third period.

"I'm not sure if NBC got together with the refs," said Tortorella, after the Rangers' 3-2 victory on Monday, regarding Ian Walsh and Dennis LaRue.

"It started with the non-call [when] Gabby was pitch-forked in the stomach, and then everything starts going against us. They're two good referees; I thought the game was refereed horribly. So I'm not sure what happened there. Maybe they wanted to get it to an overtime. I'm not sure if they have meetings about that or what. But we stood in there. They're good guys. But in that third period, it was disgusting."

The play that sparked the most outrage: When the Flyers were given a penalty shot with 19.6 seconds left in the game and trailing by a goal, as the officials claimed defenseman Ryan McDonagh covered the puck illegally in the Rangers' crease.

Danny Briere took the shot; Henrik Lundqvist made his biggest save of the game.

"I was just trying to be patient. He's a tricky guy. If I make the first move, he's gonna score," said Lundqvist.

"There was a lot of pressure on me there. I can't believe they called a penalty shot. But it was exciting."

That it was, and a fitting end to an unpredictable day/evening at Citizens Bank Park — if not the preferred end for the locals.

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