TAMPA, Fla. — Jared Bednar stated that there was nothing to the controversy surrounding Nazem KadriThe game-winning goal by's in the Colorado AvalancheThe overtime win by's 3-2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning On Wednesday, Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final will be played.
Kadri scored in the extra frame for a 3-1 series lead. The Lightning will be playing Game 5 on Friday.
Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay coach, said Wednesday night in his brief press conference that the goal should not have been recorded. Video replay seemed to show Colorado having too many men when Kadri scored. It was Kadri that made the incorrect line change seconds prior. Nathan MacKinnon Returned to the bench.
Bednar claimed that he had also seen the footage, but did not see any problems with Colorado's execution.
On Thursday, he stated that he believed it was nothing. “That's part the game. It's fluid. Everything happens quickly because you can change things as they go along. That clip is very clear. You can see that Tampa's got two men jumping on the D with them as they are coming off of the ice. One point I counted 7-6. That's it. This is how the game works. It doesn't seem like a break. It's actually nothing to me.”
Cooper and the Lightning felt different. It looked as though Tampa Bay had a point at first. In the NHL's initial game sheet, six players were listed for that Kadri goal. Later, the sheet was amended to list only five players.
Officially, NHL stated that the penalty for too many players is a decision made by officials and therefore not subject to review.
Hockey Operations met with the officials in accordance to their usual protocol following the game,” the league stated in a statement. “In discussing the winning goal, each of the four officials advised that they did not see a too-many-men-on-the-ice situation on the play. Hockey Ops and the on-ice officials are not allowed to review this call.
Cooper apologized on Thursday for his brief, but bitter, postgame press conference. But, Cooper believes that the Avalanche should still have been penalized in OT before Kadri scored.
“I [found] It's odd that they were so open to the play, but you can't really control it. [see] From our angle at the bench. Cooper stated that I cannot find the answer if I don't go back into the room to examine the tape. This was just before the Lightning headed for Denver. “Then [I] you all in five minutes following an emotional loss. “I must apologize for what happened last night. It's what happens when you have to address the media immediately.”
Cooper believes that the referees still “missed it”, despite this fact.
“The reason there is a rule is because it works.” [in case] You can gain a significant edge, which is probably what happened. This happens all the time with line changes. It is not a perfect science. The rule's purpose is not to give an advantage. He said that it was too bad.
Colorado forward Darren Helm Cooper said that he did not watch his emotional post-game presser, or engage in any drama surrounding Kadri’s goal. Cale Makar Kadri admitted to being aware of the problem with Kadri's goal, but didn't dig into it.
He said, “I haven’t really looked at the issue from different angles yet.” “So I'd be an awful judge on it.” [dissecting] that.”
All agreed on the importance of Kadri's Cup Final debut. Since June 4, when he broke his thumb in Game 3 against Edmonton, the forward was sidelined. After being boarded by, he had surgery. Evander Kane This week, I just started shooting hockey again.
Kadri was determined and successful in his first Cup Final.
Makar said that Kadri has been “really consistent for us.” “Obviously, the injury caused him to go down. [in Game 4] He was able to play his role well, and he kept his feet moving throughout the game. It's hard to ask for more from a guy returning from two weeks off.
Cooper didn't have any injuries updates at the center Brayden PointHe missed his second straight game due to a lower-body injury. Defenseman Erik CernakAfter blocking a shot during the second period, he was forced to leave Game 4; or, he was shut down. Anthony CirelliHe was injured in Game 4, but he won the game.
One loss and the Lightning could be denied their chance at a third Stanley Cup title.
“So that mountain is a little higher. But we are still climbing. We aren't out. [We were down] 3-1, 3-2 to Toronto. What is the difference? Cooper said. “We have to win a game on the road. It was inevitable that we would have to win a road game. We didn’t have home ice. We didn't have home ice.
This report was contributed by Greg Wyshynski, ESPN.
