Hockey types in uproar over replay homerism, and it involves Fox
Jan 12, 2010, 1:00 PM EDT
If you follow the NHL, and I know you do, you’re no doubt aware of the Philadelphia Flyers’ non-goal against the host Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. The Flyers’ Simon Gagne appeared to score a shorthanded goal in the second period, with goalie Brent Johnson smothering the puck and carrying it into the net. When the play was reviewed, officials in Toronto said replays were inconclusive and the goal was waved off.
But after the puck was dropped and play resumed, FSN Pittsburgh gave its viewers a replay that showed the puck across the goal line. Too late to reverse the call, but not to cause controversy in the frozen-over portions of Pennsylvania. Why was that replay version withheld from replay officials? Key quote by Penguins announcers: “Oh, we saved that one!”
Well, now the NHL is investigating the shenanigans. And because Bud Selig is not in charge, something may come of it.
“At the heart of the matter is the integrity of the system,” said Gary Meagher, the NHL’s senior vice president of public relations. “The league is investigating why we didn’t get all angles of the replay.”
Meagher said FSN should have sent all of the replays, and that it does not have the right to pick and choose which replays it sends.
“You can’t have that happen,” he said. “The league is concerned and it is being addressed.”
After practice in Voorhees yesterday, Gagne, who was deprived of the goal in what turned out to be a 7-4 Flyers victory, said FSN “should be fined heavily.”
A short time after the ruling last Thursday, FSN showed the puck over the line – and one of the Penguins broadcasters told his viewers: “Oh, we saved that one [replay]!”
The Flyers’ telecast was using the FSN feed, so there were no other replays that could be sent to Toronto that night.
Could you imagine that happening with an NFL replay? Hochuli wold kick some serious a**.
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Because You’re in Such a Good Mood Already… [The 700 Level]
NHL investigating withholding of tape of Flyer’s goal [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
