Andrei Vasilevskiy makes controversial equipment change, accused of using rule loophole
As players at the heights of talent and competition, NHLers are always looking for ways to gain the slightest advantage they can. This year, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has found a technicality in the rules, and is potentially looking to capitalize on it.
Each year, teams face multiple video review challenges to investigate whether a puck was fully across the goal line. Without conclusive evidence from the video review, the call on the ice will be upheld. Vasilevskiy is looking to capitalize on this review process by creating doubt where the league needs conclusive evidence.
Many pieces of equipment are mandated by the league or teams to be a certain colour, including goaltender stick tape being white so video reviews are more clear. However, no colour mandate is applied to skate covers, and that's where Vasilevskiy had found his advantages. The Twitter account Scouting the Refs were quick to point out the oversight in the rules, and how it could help the Lightning netminder.
Potentially going to make it harder to see the puck over the line if it's along or under his skate.
No rule on the color there... only requirement is that the stick knob has to be white tape.
No rule on the color there... only requirement is that the stick knob has to be white tape.
This will clearly create questions, but do you think the NHL should mandate blade holder colors?
| POLL | ||
Should goalies be allowed to wear black skate holders? | ||
| No, it'll make it harder to find the puck | 85 | 45 % |
| Yes, it's legal let him do what he wants | 37 | 19.6 % |
| It's legal, but it probably shouldn't be | 31 | 16.4 % |
| I'm just glad hockey is back! | 36 | 19 % |
| List of polls | ||
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