Islanders vs. Golden Knights: A Controversial Matchup
In a dramatic matchup on Thursday night, the New York Islanders faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights, a game that stirred controversy regarding goaltender interference. During the second period, with just four seconds left, Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore maneuvered his way in front of the net, inadvertently pushing the puck and New York goalie Ilya Sorokin‘s right pad into the goal. Many, including experts, were bewildered by the Islanders’ decision not to challenge this play for interference.
Coach Roy’s Reflections
New York’s head coach Patrick Roy commented on this pivotal moment after the game. He described the incident as a “tough call,” reflecting on the internal debate of whether to ask for a review. Roy explained,
“There was certainly a part of us that wanted to challenge, but we believed the puck was loose at that time. While it was clear that Theodore pushed the pad, we felt it was a loose puck situation, which is why we opted against the challenge.”
Sorokin’s Perspective
Sorokin shared his perspective as well, saying,
“I do feel like my pad was pushed in there. It was kind of a 50/50 situation. Watching the replay in the game, I realized it was a tense moment when the puck went in the net.”
Late Game Decisions
The inclination to challenge resurfaced later in the match. With 10:45 gone in the third period, Reilly Smith scored, giving Vegas a temporary 3-2 lead. This prompted the Islanders to finally contest a goal, believing Brett Howden‘s actions—shoving Kyle Palmieri into Sorokin—were a violation that interfered with the goalie’s capacity to defend.
League’s Handling of the Situation
Coach Roy expressed disappointment with how the league handled the situation, stating,
“The Hawkeye system went down, and I felt the league should have taken that into account and reviewed the goal themselves to determine its validity. According to Rule 69.1, it’s clear: a player isn’t allowed to push an opponent into the goalie. If the rules don’t carry weight anymore, then perhaps it’s time to revisit the rulebook altogether.”
Penalty Kill Performance
Despite the mixed decisions regarding challenges, Roy highlighted the reliability of the penalty kill, which has excelled on their road trip, going 10-for-11 in killed penalties and 23-for-25 overall. He credited assistant coach Boughner and the players for their diligence and skill, stating,
“Our confidence in killing penalties allows us to take strategic risks, such as challenging that last play. We have faith in our ability to kill off penalties when necessary.”
Victory in Overtime
Ultimately, the Islanders secured a thrilling 4-3 victory in overtime, thanks to a shorthanded goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau. They will continue their seven-game road trip on Friday night against the Utah Mammoth, with the puck set to drop at 9 PM ET.
