Late in the second period, Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot did his best Tim Thomas impersonation, punching TJ Oshie in the head several times after the Caps winger crashed the crease.
Here’s another look.
In total, an enraged Talbot threw four punches at Oshie’s face, several of which connected.
This is hilarious. Linesman is laying on Oshie to protect him from Talbot (who punched him once already). Never seen that pic.twitter.com/Fed8gKro2k
— Jen Neale (@MsJenNeale) October 27, 2016
Officials gave Talbot a roughing minor on the play, but a literal interpretation of the rule suggests Talbot was eligible for a match penalty – an automatic ejection from the game.
For some reference, let’s examine the NHL rulebook and Rule 51.3.
Match Penalty – If, in the judgment of the Referee, a goalkeeper uses his blocking glove to punch an opponent in the head or face in an attempt to or to deliberately injure an opponent, a match penalty must be assessed.
The question becomes did Talbot attempt to or deliberately injure his opponent. It’s a grey area in the rule. Oshie was fine afterwards, but it’s not like Talbot didn’t try his best to give Oshie more stitches.
Several seasons ago, Tim Thomas did the same thing, punching Nicklas Backstrom in the head. Thomas escaped an ejection as well.
What do you guys think of the officials’ handling of the play?
