The NHL says Florida Panthers centre Colin White's incidental contact with Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen in the crease caused the situation room to wave off Ryan Lomberg's overtime goal on Thursday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final.
"Video review determined Florida's Colin White had a significant presence in the crease and made incidental contact with goaltender Frederik Andersen that impaired his ability to play his position prior to Ryan Lomberg's goal," the NHL said in explaining the decision.
The NHL goes on to say the decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1, which states a goal should be disallowed if an attacking player, either by positioning or contact, "impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal."
White, who was going toward the net, had his skate make contact with Andersen's leg as he was sliding across the crease. White was battling with Carolina's Jack Drury at the time.
Just after the contact, Lomberg beat Andersen with a shot 2:35 into OT.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice was livid after the call, voicing his disapproval from the bench.
In their series-clinching win in Round 2, the Panthers caught a break when the Toronto Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly had a goal called back -- angering Toronto fans.
The explanation was the puck crossed the line after the refs ruled the play was dead. Florida won the series with a 3-2 win in overtime.
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