Dallas Stars Edge Winnipeg Jets with Controversial Goal in Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Dallas Stars seized a pivotal 2-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday night following a controversial goal that shifted the momentum late in Game 3.

With 16 minutes and 9 seconds left in the game, Alexander Petrovic found the back of the net. However, the call was anything but straightforward. NHL officials reviewed the play meticulously for over five minutes to determine if Petrovic had kicked the puck into the net, thus leading to the contentious nature of the decision.

Ultimately, the officials ruled that Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck unintentionally propelled the puck into his own goal. This ruling proved crucial, as it granted Dallas a 3-2 lead at the time. The Stars ultimately secured a 5-2 victory in the matinee matchup.

Jets coach Scott Arniel expressed strong objections regarding the officials’ interpretation of the rule that allowed Petrovic’s goal to stand. He stated, “The rule states that if the puck gets kicked, if it hits a body or a stick of anybody else other than the goaltender, it counts as a goal. It hit our goaltender’s stick and went in the net. That is no goal. So they said that Helly propelled the puck in, and I haven’t seen the word propelled in the rulebook.”

In contrast, Stars coach Peter DeBoer praised the officials for taking the necessary time to review the contentious play to ensure the correct call was made.

The action began with a shot from Mikko Rantanen, which ricocheted off of Hellebuyck to his right and subsequently struck Petrovic’s skate before heading back towards the net.

Rantanen reflected on the realization of the situation, saying, “I saw him kind of kick it, but I didn’t see a replay of it. I thought it was 50-50 probably, but thank God they called it a goal.”

For Petrovic, this goal marked his first playoff score in nine years, prompting him to describe the moment as a “lucky goal.”

The NHL community reacted passionately to the decision. Many fans voiced their opinions on social media platform X, underscoring the divisive nature of the goal.

Just 49 seconds after the controversial play, Rantanen once again contributed with a goal, further solidifying the Stars’ position in the game.

As the series continues, Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday in Dallas. The stakes are high for both teams as they vie for supremacy in this playoff face-off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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