This play was turned over 100% of the time during the regular season. Yes most hated it.. but it was the rule.. UNTIL GAME 6... always felt that the NHL wanted to give a southern team a cup and they may have chosen to ignore it here (and change the rule in the offseason, part because they were going to anyway.. part to justify themselves.). I only take solace that this was game 6 and they could just have easily have scored 2 minutes later anyway.. if it was game 7.. it would have hurt much more. I still think Bettman and Co. were willing to "cook the books" as it were for the Dallas "False" Stars (sorry, I still loved the North Stars.. as such, Dallas will always be the False stars to me)
We watched the game on big screens at the Bisons baseball stadium. 2 things I remember most: 1) after the "no goal" was "not scored", how quick the ice was cleared and determined over. 2) the exodus of such a large group of people out from the ballpark that was soooooo quiet. - Lindy, best to you. You are classy and a class man. Thanks for coaching a team that made so many everlasting memories! Thanks for posting this! Lets Go Sabres!
Probably not. I was watching on my 13" TV in my apartment on 73 Richmond Ave because I didn't have the cash for tickets ... it was 2 am, third overtime. If you've ever played hockey, after playing for about 4 or so hours non-stop ... sometimes you're happy it's over, and you take your regrets to 67 West over a couple of beers after.
The puck was in the crease, allowing Hull or anyone to go after it...furthermore, to think that after 6 periods the refs would disallow a goal, that counted, is idiotic...
Lindy is a class act. I certainly understand and respect the "calmer perspective" that may be available having the benefit of 20 years to "cool off" and take a more measured reflection. And that's fine. HOWEVER, I can also state with the exact same "cool headed dispassionate reflection" that Bettman and the NHL absolutely, positively, 100% GOT IT WRONG when they refused to review and then disallow the goal ... and have the teams keep playing until a legitimate "good goal" was actually scored. Even IF the Sabres were not involved in that Stanley Cup Final Series and we were talking about some team Sabres fans dislike that happened to be wronged by the non-call, I can honestly say my reaction and analysis would be THE SAME ... BECAUSE YOU MUST FOLLOW THE RULE that has governed the season ALL YEAR. Period. Full stop. You CAN NOT start CHANGING THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT of a season-long rule simply because the playoffs are here. Here is what I don't care about: 1. I don't care that the players would have to keep playing if the goal were properly disallowed; 2. I don't care that Bettman, the NHL, the media announcers, or anyone would "be embarrassed" over having flooded onto the ice [erroneously] believing the Cup had been won, only to have to keep playing; 3. I don't care that Dallas had players who were hurt and fatigued and "just wanted the game to be over" ... I'm sure the Buffalo players were equally hurt and fatigued, and they wanted/were willing to keep playing; 4. I don't care that Dominik Hasek was "not interfered with" by the Dallas player's foot in the crease ILLEGALLY or that it "seemed" to "not impact" the play; 5. I don't care that -- under TODAY's rules -- there would be no problem and that the goal would unquestionably "count" ... NONE OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS ABOVE MATTER. What I DO CARE ABOUT is fidelity to the OPERATIVE RULEBOOK IN EFFECT AT THE TIME. And according to those rules, the goal was ILLEGAL. That's all that counts -- not wjhat changed rules of the present day would hold.
BTW, none other than Brett Hull (then of the Dallas Stars) publicly stated at the time that he did not believe the Stars could have won Game 7, even at home in Dallas, because the Stars were too banged up and Hasek would be too tough to beat in a one-game winner-take-all contest for the Cup.
Watching this interview reinforces my faith in the game of Hockey being a Gentleman's Sport. Lindy was gonna tune the ref up after he called goal. Takes a true Gentleman to admit your reaction to a wrong may have been too much. You're an inspiration to me tonight Lindy. NO GOAL!!!!
I don't think a lot of (Sabres) fans realize Lindy has been involved in the Sabres organization in EVERY DECADE they have existed. In fact I remember Ruff playing with Gilbert Perreault. He played both defense and forward. I mean man if anyone deserves to win a Stanley Cup HERE IN BUFFALO it's Lindy.
