NHL makes changes to coach's challenge after playoff controversies
Do you remember when this happened?
A hand pass by Timo Meier directly leads to Karlsson's winning goal. Tough way to lose this one for the #STLBlues #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9vNz2sBYVX
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) May 16, 2019
Or how about this?
Puck hits the netting but nobody notices, Panarin capitalizes to get the Jackets on the board pic.twitter.com/2KyTDHE0RB
— Heart of NHL (@HeartofNHL) May 3, 2019
Yeah, neither of those tainted goals will be allowed in the National Hockey League ever again.
The NHL has revised its rules when it comes to coach’s challenges and one of the additions is the ability to challenge a “missed game stoppage in the offensive zone leading to a goal.”
New for the 2019-20 @NHL season, teams may issue a Coach’s Challenge to review a missed game stoppage event in the offensive zone leading to a goal.
Full Language / Official Rules: https://t.co/o0n1L3Y9G8 pic.twitter.com/rwVV6M5jku— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 20, 2019
This will probably be referred to as the ‘Timo Meier Rule,’ given just how egregious that missed hand-pass against the St. Louis Blues was.
The new rule clearly outlines that plays such as hand passes, high-sticking the puck and having the puck sail out of play in the build-up to a goal will be susceptible to review. Coaches, however, will not be able to challenge a perceived missed penalty in the lead-up to a goal.
I mean, this just makes sense, no?
In addition to Rule 38, the league is also cracking down on failed coach’s challenge attempts.
New this season, all unsuccessful Coach’s Challenges will result in a penalty.
Teams may initiate a challenge on appropriate plays at any time except the final 1:00 of regulation & OT when such reviews are initiated by the Situation Room.
Official Rules: https://t.co/o0n1L3Y9G8 pic.twitter.com/3eqEESj3lF— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 20, 2019
NHL coaches better be sure when they ask the officials for another look. A wrong challenge will now result in a two-minute penalty for delaying the game.
In the instance of multiple failed challenges by a team, the result will be a double-minor.
And, I mean, it’s hard to argue with the punishment. If you waste everybody’s time on multiple occasions, a four-minute trip to the box is surely warranted.
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