CONTROVERSIAL GOAL: NHL considering rule change

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Felip Gosselin
December 3, 2022 (8:38)

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The Jets and the Stars were implicated in a tight game, where the tying goal was only scored with a few moments left in the third period. Though, questions were asked about the goal.

The game-altering decision could have an effect on the game's further development, it may be changing the way the game is called and the equipment that goalies are required to wear. See the clip below:

During the play, there's definitely a contact between Josh Morrissey and Jamie Benn. The Stars forward ended up hitting Connor Hellebuyck and it resulted in his mask coming off. The NHL's rulebook states the following:

"NHL Rule 9 � Uniforms � 9.6 � Helmets : When a goalkeeper has lost his helmet and/or face mask and his team has control of the puck, the play shall be stopped immediately to allow the goalkeeper the opportunity to regain his helmet and/or face mask."

"When the opposing team has control of the puck, the play shall only be stopped if there is no immediate and impending scoring opportunity. This stoppage of play must be made by the referee. When the play is stopped because the goalkeeper has lost his helmet and/or face mask, the ensuing face-off shall take place at one of the defending team's end zone face-off spots."

According to the rulebook, the referees are not to blame on this one, as we know, a recent rule change occured regarding the players loosing their helmets (they must retreat to the bench and if they fail to do so, they get a penalty). The netminder on the other end, should regain his net making sure the puck doesn't get in? Mask on or not? How does that make any sense?

Obviously, Hellebuyck was outraged by the whole situation:

Eliotte Friedman addressed the matter with the following:

''Maybe it's as simple as a more aggressive whistle, since GMs recognize goalies need to be protected. In the days since that occurred, there's also been a demand to make sure "mask-off" doesn't get abused or become a strategy."

"Last season, St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington received a delay-of-game penalty for removing his mask in a game against the Jets. Another suggestion was making a chin-strap mandatory, an attempt that failed in 2014. Goalies refused that as part of the equipment slimdown. Goalie Gear Nerd on Twitter made an interesting point, that this wouldn't work anyways because of the way the mask is designed to fall under contact."

Now we'll have to wait until next year's GM summit meeting, where the matter will certainly be brought up to ensure better protection for the netminders among us.