Playoffs 2000:Penguins coach disputes Flyers' first goal

Penguins coach disputes Flyers' first goal
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh coach Herb Brooks argued Wednesday that Philadelphia forward Valeri Zelepukin blatantly interfered with goaltender Ron Tugnutt on the Flyers' critical first goal in their 4-3 playoff victory Tuesday.

Flyers rookie defenseman Andy Delmore jumped on a long rebound and skated down the slot to beat Tugnutt, who was trying to push Zelepukin out of the crease as he played the shot.

TV replays clearly showed Zelepukin backing into the crease, and into Tugnutt, just as Delmore scored the game's first goal at 14:11 of the first period.

"He was backing up and backing up, and I had to shove him with my glove to stop him," Tugnutt said. "He was definitely inside (the crease) ... forcing me back, deeper in the net."

The goal likely would have disallowed because of the no-tolerance in-the-crease rule in force for last year's playoffs. However, the rule was emended several days after Brett Hull scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for Dallas Stars in Game 6 against Buffalo despite having a skate inside the crease.

The new rule was enacted to prevent goals from being waved off for what referees felt was incidental and inconsequential activity inside the crease.

However, Brooks contends NHL referees are going against the intent of the rule by allowing considerable contact with goalies.

Brooks spoke Wednesday in advance of Thursday's Flyers-Penguins Game 4.

"It should have been no goal," he said. "The crease rule is ridiculous. They say you can be in the crease as long as you don't interfere with the goaltender.

"But if you're in front of the goaltender in the crease, you've got to be interfering with the goaltender."

Tugnutt was visibly upset with the contact, but such a play is not reviewable under the NHL's video replay rule and the goal was counted without being reviewed.

"That's why it's a good rule for referees, they don't have to make a tough call," Brooks said. "It should have been no goal."

Brooks said it's obvious the NHL changed the rule because of the outcry over Hull's disputed goal last season.

"If they're not going to call it, why should they even paint the crease?" Brooks said. "They blew the call."