Referees blow call, let Connor McDavid away with blatant penalty against Dallas

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Josh Tupper
June 3, 2024 (8:08)

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The referees blew a call late in Game 6 and it may have cost the Dallas Stars a Stanley Cup appearance after Connor McDavid closes his hand on the puck.

On Sunday night in Game 6, Connor McDavid proved to be a valuable asset for the Edmonton Oilers; yet, there are others who feel that he was given a clear penalty throughout the game.

Connor McDavid lunged up to retrieve a puck that was in midair along the board during the third period of Game 6. As the action went on, McDavid completely clenched his palm around the puck before twisting and letting it fall to the ice.

"Looks like McDavid got away with closing his hand on the puck 😬"

While many assume that McDavid should have been called for a two-minute minor for closing his hand on the puck, when in actuality, the decision by the officials on the ice to not call a penalty was the right move.

According to the NHL's rulebook, more specifically rule 67.2, a player can only be penalized for closing their hand on the puck if they don't immediately drop it and continue to skate with the puck in their hand. For McDavid on Sunday night, he is allowed to catch the puck but he most immediately drop the puck. However, McDavid instead spins and throws the back forward which is a clear violation.

"67.2 Minor Penalty � Player - A player shall be permitted to catch the puck out of the air but must immediately place it or knock it down to the ice. If he catches it and skates with it, either to avoid a check or to gain a territorial advantage over his opponent, a minor penalty shall be assessed for 'closing his hand on the puck'." The NHL's rulebook says.

McDavid scored a pair of goals in the game to help the Edmonton Oilers advance to their first Stanley Cup Final in 18 years where they'll face the Eastern Conference champions, the Florida Panthers. Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final is set for Saturday, June 8th at 8 pm ET.