Unusual Goal in DEL2 Game Sparks Debate After Net Displaced During Play
In a bizarre incident during a DEL2 hockey match, Ravensburg Towerstars scored a goal despite the net being dislodged, leading to a controversial decision by referees. The 5-2 victory for Dresdner Eislöwen over Ravensburg featured a play where the goal frame was moved during a penalty call, yet the referees upheld the score.
Sequence of Events: A Displaced Net and a Controversial Goal
The incident occurred in the 31st minute when Ravensburg’s Peter Tufto collided with Tyson Spink, resulting in a penalty for holding. During the play, Tufto’s collision with the goal post caused the net to shift sideways, displacing the frame from its anchor. Despite the disruption, the game continued, and Ravensburg’s Robby Czarnik scored a goal moments later, with the net no longer in its original position.
Referees reviewed the play via video. Hauptschiedsrichter Benjamin Hoppe, who has officiated in the DEL since 2016, explained the decision: “The review confirmed that the penalty against Spink caused the net to move, and an immediate scoring opportunity followed. The goal was valid under IIHF Rule 78, Paragraph 5, Section 10, which allows play to continue if the displacement results from a defending player’s action.”
Rule Clarification: IIHF Guidelines on Goal Displacement
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) updated its rules in 2017 to address such scenarios. Rule 78, Paragraph 5, Section 10 states: “If the goal frame is displaced due to the actions of a defending player, the goal is valid if scored immediately afterward.” This provision was invoked in the DEL2 match, as Tufto’s collision with Spink triggered the net’s movement.
Aftermath: Dresdner Eislöwen Secure First Win of the Season
Despite the controversy, Dresdner Eislöwen secured their first victory of the season, with goalkeeper Marvin Berbner celebrating the win alongside fans. The team, which had begun the series with three losses, expressed relief at the result.
Broader Implications: Referee Discretion and Rule Enforcement
For now, the Dresdner Eislöwen’s win stands, and the unusual goal will be remembered as a peculiar footnote in DEL2 history.
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