The hockey world erupted in debate following a controversial overtime goal in Game 4 of the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks series. The goal, which gave the Ducks a 4-3 victory, raised questions about how the officials made their ruling on the ice. Were they in position? What did they see? Why is everyone so wound up about how it all went down?
For some, the call was correct. The puck crossed the line, and justice was served. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun imagining what happened inside the officials' huddle. Here's a fictional reenactment of how it might have unfolded.
The Officials' Huddle: A Humorous Take
Referee 1: "Huddle up, boys. We've got a situation. Did anyone see if that puck went in? I was stuck in the corner and didn't get a good look."
Referee 2: "I was farther away than you. Six guys blocked my view. No idea if it crossed."
Linesman 1: "Dude, I was halfway to center ice. And honestly, that's not my job."
Referee 2: "The crowd is going crazy, and the Ducks are celebrating. It must be a goal. Why else would they be cheering?"
Linesman 2: "Is that what all the noise was about? Gotta be a goal, then."
Referee 2: "But here's a thought: nobody signaled a goal when it happened."
Referee 1: "So?"
Referee 2: "If we didn't signal a goal, how can we now say we saw it cross the line?"
Linesman 2: "Oh, I never thought of that. No goal, then."
Linesman 1: "Remember when Ryan Kesler pulled open the goalie's pad so the puck could go in? The refs were like 'What are we going to tell Corey Perry?' Classic."
Referee 2: "That was Edmonton and Anaheim too! Crazy."
Linesman 2: "Ha, that's right. What are we going to tell Cutter?"
Referee 2: "Ha ha ha. Good one."
Linesman 1: "What kind of name is Cutter, anyway?"
Linesman 2: "Blade would be a cool name."
Referee 1: "Guys, stay focused! We're dying out here."
Referee 2: "Oh, right. The goal."
Referee 1: "So is it a goal?"
Linesman 1: "Beats me. Halfway to center, remember."
Linesman 2: "I mean, Kesler grabbed the pad and they let it count."
Referee 2: "Can you rule it a goal 90 seconds after the fact? If you saw it go in, you'd have signaled at the time."
Referee 1: "But we're huddling like umpires to get the call right. It inspires confidence."
Linesman 1: "Huddling with guys 80 feet away at bad angles to ask if the puck crossed by an eighth of an inch?"
Referee 2: "Listen, why would they celebrate if it didn't cross? Let's say it's a goal and see what video review says."
Referee 1: "But if we say goal and the review is inconclusive but shows it probably didn't go in, it still counts. We'll look like idiots."
Linesman 2: "Oooh. Tough call. But I'm a linesman."
