Corey Perry's Rule Violation with Oilers Triggers NHL Statement and Ignites Major Controversy
Edmonton's start to the season has been less than ideal, and now forward Corey Perry is in some hot water with the NHL for his response to his goal being waved off.
The NHL has changed its opinion on how much impact a player can make while in the goalie's crease. From being able to swarm the paint to the Sean Avery Rule, and now where you feel you need at least six inches of space; it's condensed the game and made it less reliant on tips and overloading the net. The NHL wants to keep goalies safer, and allowing players to dog-pile them isn't the best course of action.
But for Corey Perry, someone who has been in the league for nearly 20 years, it's been a hard habit to break for someone who is notorious for being a pest, or some would argue 'crafty'. During the Battle of Alberta on Sunday, Perry had a goal waved off due to goaltender interference after he tipped a puck past Flames netminder Dan Vladar:
However, the goal was overturned after a video replay as it was determined Perry was too close to Vladar and interfered with his ability to make a save. It was a bit of a soft call according to Perry, who protested the decision with his trademark outspokenness on the bench:
His actions drew the ire of the NHL, who decided they needed to prove a point to Perry and posted their reasoning for the disallowed goal as relayed by NHL Insider Frank Seravalli on X:
Believing Perry needed a bit more of an explanation, the league decided to say that Perry "Had significant presence in the crease which impaired Dan Vladar's ability to play his position prior to his goal."
Looking at the goal initially, it does not seem like Perry did anything egregious and set a very good screen in front of Vladar. Vladar came out to get a better angle because of the screen and ended up being scored on through a tip. If Perry was bullying Vladar back there could be a case, however, the league took it upon itself to punish Edmonton for a simple hockey play, and on further inspection, it looks like Vladar and Perry were separated by at least a few inches and Perry's stick did not interfere with Vladar either on the tip.
It's another blemish on the start of the Edmonton Oilers season, where they have yet to win a game and have been outscored 15-3, partially due to reasons like Perry's no-goal. The team will get the chance to earn their first win when they take on Philadelphia at home on Tuesday, and Perry will look to have an official goal on the scoresheet this time.
| POLL | ||
Should the NHL adjust goaltender interference so Corey Perry's goal should have been allowed? | ||
