Sharks’ controversial OT game winner has hockey world chirping

Once again this postseason, it seems everyone is angry except for the Sharks and their fans after their 5-4 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of the Western Conference final.

In the Vegas series, it was the penalty that led to four Game 7 power play goals. Against Colorado, it was a challenged offside call that negated a key Game 7 goal. This time, it appears the officials missed a handpass from Timo Meier to Gus Nyquist that set up Erik Karlsson’s game-winning goal.

Nothing like a little bit of controversy to end a #StanleyCup playoff game#Sharks score in OT to take a 2-1 series lead

Do you think this should have been called a goal? pic.twitter.com/Y8ROaSfPWW

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 16, 2019

It was a clear missed call. Rule 79.1 of the NHL rulebook states:

A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the on-ice officials, he has directed the puck to a teammate, or has allowed his team to gain an advantage, and subsequently possession and control of the puck is obtained by a player of the offending team, either directly or deflected off any player or official.

Meier’s batting of the puck clearly gave the Sharks an advantage, and San Jose got control of the puck immediately after his action in its offensive zone.

Writers and fans across the NHL universe are wondering what the Sharks have done to appease the hockey gods.

How many more incredible officiating gaffes are the #Sharks going to benefit from? They’re on the road to the most tainted Stanley Cup in history.

— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) May 16, 2019

The Sharks reached their one-critically-advantageous-yet-controversial-call-per-series quota early in the Western Conference Final.

— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) May 16, 2019

Hockey writer Sean McIndoe believes this is a sign there could be something even more advantageous awaiting the Sharks later in the series.

Holy crap if the hockey gods are giving the Sharks a win like this in game three, what do they have in mind for the traditional game seven slot?

— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) May 16, 2019

The NHL’s verified account for GIFs conveniently began its clip when Nyquist passed to Karlsson, well after Meier’s handling of the puck.

.@ErikKarlsson65's second of the night gives the Sharks a 2-1 series lead. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Ej4QhA3u0C

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) May 16, 2019

Some suggested the obvious fix: Make the handpass call reviewable.

Everything will be reviewable next season. Everything.

— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) May 16, 2019

Why can’t you challenge that? It would take 5 seconds #bucciovertimechallenge

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) May 16, 2019

But for now, it’s not open for review, and the Sharks keep on rolling, taking back home ice advantage. They’re now two wins from a Stanley Cup final berth.