Controversial call keeps U.S. out of gold-medal game at Hlinka Gretzky Cup
By @MichaelCaples –
It had the makings of a memorable hockey moment for a young group of Americans.
Big comeback against rival Canada. ‘Michigan move’ goals. Gold-medal game appearance on the line at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Then, Canada forced overtime in the final second of regulation. On a goal that clearly shouldn’t have counted.
That’s not a biased take – it’s a fact basically agreed upon by both teams. However, before the tournament had started, everybody also agreed on something else – that they wouldn’t use instant replay for the prestigious tournament.
Earlier games were played in rinks that didn’t have the capabilities necessary for proper replay.
However, Dylan Cozens’ goal at the 60:02 mark of regulation – the goal that erased the Americans’ comeback and lead in the pivotal contest – came at Rogers Place…the home of the Edmonton Oilers.
Here’s the goal:
Canada’s goal after the whistle vs #USA at the Hlinka, there’s no video review so we go to OT pic.twitter.com/mgCxZfYnaD
— Born Salty (@cjzero) August 11, 2018
Josh Williams would score the final goal for Canada 1:44 into the extra period, giving Canada a spot in the gold-medal game, and relegating the U.S. to the consolation contest against Russia.
“I feel for everyone — for our kids too. They know what happened,” said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada, to Sportsnet. “If I’m the U.S. squad, I’m kind of scratching my head, wondering what might have happened here. They are owed some type of an explanation and I’ll go in and see them next.”
ESPN’s Chris Peters was all over the coverage from Edmonton; here is some of his info:
Let me add the caveat that I’ve seen personally. And I’ve seen some weird ones. Still it’s 2018. https://t.co/ycP5Wdx5iP
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 11, 2018
Hockey Canada’s Tom Renney and Scott Salmond just pulled USA Hockey’s John Vanbiesbrouck and team leader Kevin McLaughlin into a room to chat. Renney is expected to address the media about the end of the game shortly.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 11, 2018
USA captain John Farinacci on the end of the game: “It is what it is. We can’t change it.”
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 11, 2018
Tom Renney says there appeared to be a discrepancy between the call on the ice and what video showed. Refs made call they thought was right on ice. All teams agreed to no video review before tournament. Says Team USA owed explanation and he would give them one.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 11, 2018
Also said he didn’t want to criticize the officials because they made the call based on what they saw. It’s a tough call to make.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 11, 2018
And one note from The Athletic’s Corey Pronman:
Tom Renney says no video review was used because it was decided at directorate meeting all 3 rinks used in the tournament could not be consistent in that capacity between the Red Deer rink and Edmonton rink hosting the 5th and 7th place games.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) August 11, 2018
It was still a heck of a game, and an impressive showing from some of the Michigan boys. Nicholas Robertson recorded a hat trick, while Josh Nodler and Arthur Kaliyev both recorded two assists apiece.
Robertson’s third goal, and a goal from Luke Toporowski 1:35 later, turned a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 lead for Team USA in the later stages of the third period.
Team USA will battle for bronze at 5 p.m. today.
Oh yeah, and speaking of ‘Michigan move’ goals – here was one of the more favorable highlights from the evening:
🚨 👀😲 @aaronhuglen_8 #TeamUSA leads Canada 3-2 after the opening 20 minutes. #HlinkaGretzkyCup
Stats >> https://t.co/vBq4ijXQKQ pic.twitter.com/LyqgT3Zn56
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 11, 2018