Edmonton Oilers: Cam Talbot roasts goaltender interference
After a controversial goaltender interference ruling, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot roasted the rule’s inconsistency
Goaltender interference is a huge grey area in the NHL rules. A lot of goalies aren’t too happy about it either. However, netminders have been slow to criticize the rule because they don’t want to get in trouble. It’s safe to say Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot has reached his boiling point.
During their Saturday, Feb. 17 game against the Arizona Coyotes, the Oilers thought they scored the game-tying goal. However, it was ruled that due to goalie interference, the goal wouldn’t count. Edmonton lost the game 1-0.
Talbot, who has never been shy to speak up, let his frustrations loose.
“There’s no consistency and I’m f*****g sick of it. It’s f*****g ridiculous. You can quote me, they can fine me, I don’t give a f*** anymore.” — Oilers goalie Cam Talbot on the mystery that is goaltender interference in the NHL
— Rob Tychkowski (@Rob_Tychkowski) February 18, 2018
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Yes, Talbot is probably going to get a hefty fine for this. You can’t criticize the league that harshly and not get fined. However, Talbot has a very good point. Goaltender interference has been extremely inconsistent this season. A goal that is overturned one night will be allowed a few days later.
This has to be very frustrating for goalies. They’re supposed to be protected by the rules, yet the rules might (or might not) allow skaters to interfere with them. Goaltender interference has gotten to the point where it has as clear of a definition as a catch in the NFL.
Nobody really knows what goalie interference is anymore. This has to change. The rule has to be much more descriptive and rely far less on the judgment of the referee. Fans are starting to get frustrated by the inconsistent rulings. More importantly, the players are as well.
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Replay has been another issue regarding goalie interference. Teams are only allowed to challenge one call a game. What if the referees mess up two calls in a game? Forcing a team who loses a challenge to go shorthanded isn’t a terrible idea. And it keeps teams for challenging just for the sake of challenging. Why not fix goaltender’s interference, giving it a far more clear definition, and let teams challenge as many times as they want?