John Carlson is having a rough spell with goal reviews.
After having a marker taken off the board against the Toronto Maple Leafs via coach’s challenge on Wednesday, Carlson had another goal immediately washed out against Utah HC on Monday night.
Carlson received a pinpoint pass from Pierre-Luc Dubois at the point in Utah’s zone and let go a blast that beat screened goaltender Connor Ingram high to the glove side. The strike would have been Washington’s fourth of the first period with just 27.5 seconds remaining.
Unfortunately for Carlson, referee Cody Beach immediately waived the tally off, calling goaltender interference on Connor McMichael. After taking a timeout to review video, the Capitals challenged the call, but the call on the ice stood despite McMichael’s minimal contact with Ingram.
Replays showed McMichael enter Ingram’s crease, slightly nudge his glove, and then make his way out of the crease. One could even surmise Ingram initiated contact with the Capitals forward. Utah defender Juuso Välimäki impeded McMichael, but the Capitals’ young winger got out of the crease before Ingram attempted to make a save on the shot.
Washington was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for delay of game after failing their first challenge of the season.
The following is the full explanation provided by the NHL’s situation room.
Challenge Initiated By: Washington
Type of Challenge: Goaltender Interference
Result: Call on the ice is upheld – No goal Washington
Explanation: Video review confirmed Washington’s Connor McMichael impaired the ability of Utah goaltender Connor Ingram to play his position in the crease. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1 which states, in part, that “Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.”
Penalty: 2:00 minor penalty: Delay of Game – Unsuccessful Challenge
Washington killed off the ensuing minor penalty and eventually added a fourth goal in the game through an Alex Ovechkin power-play strike in the second period. Carlson’s unlucky streak extends what is now a 12-game goal drought.