Disputes Often Arise

DISPUTES OFTEN ARISE in sporting events. But in 1999, the Stanley Cup finals ended with a questionable goal that upset many Buffalo fans.

Leading the Sabres three games to two, the Dallas Stars hoped to capture the Cup at Buffalo’s Marine Midland Arena. The Stars opened a first-period lead, but Buffalo tied the contest in the second.

Knotted 1–1 at the end of three periods, the teams prepared for overtime. Two full extra periods elapsed. As the third overtime wound down, the Stars’ Mike Modano took control of the puck at the half boards. He passed to Brett Hull, who took a shot that Dominik Hasek blocked. The puck left the crease for a second, but Hull’s left skate didn’t. The right wing then corralled the rebound and shoveled the puck past the prone goalie, setting off a celebration by the Stars.

Television replays, however, clearly showed Hull’s skate in the crease. The Sabres refused to leave their dressing room for 20 minutes, claiming the goal should be disallowed. But NHL supervisor of officials Bryan Lewis clarified the rule, stating that an attacking player can stay in the crease as long as he maintains control of the puck. Although Buffalo remained dissatisfied, the goal counted and Dallas captured its first Stanley Cup.

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POINT The Sabres thought they got a raw deal. Professionals play hockey on a round-cornered rectangle 200 by 85 feet with a 4-by-6-foot goal cage. Any puck that completely clears the 2-inch-wide line in front of the goal counts. The crease in front of the goal is a semicircular area with a 6-foot radius marked by a red line. If the goalie is in the crease, no offensive player can enter unless the puck’s there. If the goalie isn’t in the crease, the opposing team can’t enter.

Since the puck and the goalie weren’t in the crease for that split second, the goal became questionable. But the officials’ supervisor made the call. His decree ended the argument.

Making a judgment can be hard. Most of the time somebody’s going to be upset by the call. But there is one perfect judge: God. Although everything might not go as we’d like, his decisions are always just.

GOAL! Think about a time that a teacher, coach, or official made a judgment call that didn’t go your way. Are you still mad about it? It’s time to let go of that anger. Thank God for his perfect judgments and for his rules in the Bible.