Referee allows Marlies goal after Jacob Fowler loses mask in controversial sequence
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This afternoon’s game against the Toronto Marlies left a bitter taste for Laval Rocket fans.
Everyone has been talking about it on social media since Jacob Fowler lost his mask in the middle of play.
The rule is clear: if the goaltender loses his mask, play must stop only if his team has control of the puck. That was not the case here.
The Marlies took advantage of the confusion to score while play legitimately continued. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Montreal Canadiens’ farm team.
“Here is the sequence where official Morgan MacPhee deemed it appropriate to allow the Marlies’ goal.
I have honestly never seen anything like it.
If you believe Fowler initiated the initial contact, that’s one thing, but you let play continue with a goalie without a mask?
It makes absolutely no sense.”
Jacob Fowler is still off to a notable start to his professional career with the Rocket. The young prospect is showing that he has the makings of a future No. 1 in the NHL.
An AHL rule that penalizes the Rocket
The official ruled that the action was too immediate to blow the whistle before the Marlies’ goal.
It is a purely technical decision that complies with the league’s current standards.
Let’s admit it, this sequence will fuel discussions for a few days.
You hate to lose on a technical detail like that.
The Rocket lacked cohesion on that specific defensive sequence. The Marlies’ quick transition caught everyone off guard in Fowler’s zone.
We will closely watch the response from Pascal Vincent’s men in the next matchup. The battle for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division will be fierce.
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Referee allows Marlies goal after Jacob Fowler loses mask in controversial sequence
Should the rule on the goaltender’s mask be changed?