Sometimes, the officials during sporting events demonstrate that they are just like everyone else – human beings who are prone to error. And the Tampa Bay Lightning absolutely got away with a ridiculous sequence of events that led directly to their go-ahead goal.
During the 2nd period of their third-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the New York Islanders, the Lightning had not six, which should be an automatic bench minor – but SEVEN players on the ice immediately before Ondrej Palat beat goaltender Semyon Varlamov for a 2-1 lead.
Needless to say, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz was less than pleased when he saw the replay:
Instead of enjoying what should have been a two-minute power play thanks to too many men on the ice for the Lightning, the Islanders found themselves trailing by a goal.