Let me take you back in time to June 9th, 2010 to Philadelphia where the Flyers had to beat the Chicago Blackhawks to force a game 7. After a goal by Scott Hartnell with just minutes remaining in the game, the game went to overtime. I'm sure you know what happens next. A keep by Brian Campbell. Campbell gives it to Kane. Kane dips down deep into the zone. Sharp angle shot by Kane. And then....Now what? The players in white celebrate as the announcers, the fans in the arena, and most importantly the refs don't know whats going on. The only players on the ice that realized were Chicago's Patrick Sharp (went straight to Kane), Kane (jumped up and went crazy), Nick Boynton (awkwardly, hesitantly celebrates with Kane), Philadelphia's Darroll Powe (slowly drifts to the corner with his head down), and most importantly (and from whom I knew it was in) goaltender Michael Leighton (he rested his glove hand on his pad, a sign that he knew it was over but then realized that it may not have gone in). But after close examination, they found the puck deep within the side basket of the net. So a few seconds of confusion but then jubilation by the team that scored.
Tonight in game 4 between Nashville and Vancouver with Nashville down a goal with about 17 minutes leeft to play, Cody Franson finds the puck on his stick and flings it towards the net. What happens? Same thing as last year. Fans, refs and announcers don't know what to make of it while a few players on Nashville raise their sticks in celebration. The puck was in the back of the net and all but 3 people in the arena didn't know about it before hand. Franson (the goal scorer), Shane O'Brien (defenseman paired with Franson), and David Legwand (forward for Nashville. First person to direct referees attention to the back of the net) knew it right away and began celebrating. Other 2 Nashville players (Matt Halischuk, and Joel Ward) continue on with the play a bit awkwardly as they try to track down the puck that's not even there. Goalie Roberto Luongo, like Leighton last year, appeared that he knew it was in but after realizing that there was some doubt to that fact, started looking around for answers. But the refs figure out the problem rather quickly and the celebration ensues. One thing this year that wasn't present in last years confusing goal was the home fans. Last year the Flyer fans remained quiet throughout. This year we had the fortune of see the the fans reaction to the strange situation. Not a soul in the stands reacted to the shot by Franson. Everyone, even the people behind the Canucks' goal, remained seated and finally began standing up when Legwand and the refs skated to examine the back of the net. And then the horn sounded and soon enough the entire arena was applauding awkwardly and sounded not quite as loud or as jumpy as their first goal.
Comparing these videos was kind of fun. Just one more proof of the existence of the hockey gods AND their wicked sense of humor.
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