11/15/14

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The Pens game tonight was crazy. Rangers' defenseman Dan Boyle appeared to have scored the game-winning shootout goal to give the Rangers a 3-2 victory. Everyone on the Rangers was smiling and celebrating their "win". Not so fast. Toronto had other ideas. Video replay clearly showed that Boyle's first shot hit the post and that he hit the puck again. The rule clearly states that any rebound that is shot into the net is considered "no goal". The goal was waved off and Penguins' forward Brandon Sutter buried his shootout attempt to seal the deal. I was really happy about this because I absolutely hate the New York Rangers and that replay actually got something right. So, I bet you guys are wondering why I am writing about hockey when my site is devoted to baseball. Well, here's my baseball connection. This past season, the Pirates were playing a game against the San Francisco Giants. The score was tied at one and the game was in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Pirates' outfielder Starling Marte hit Tim Hudson's offering off the top of the Roberto Clemente wall. Marte reached third base safely, but the ball got away and Marte took off for home plate. There was a play at the plate and rookie umpire Quinn Wolcott called Marte out. I do have a reason to criticize because I umpired for three years, but Wolcott is a Major League umpire and he was clearly in the wrong position to make the call, but that's besides the point. Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle went up to Wolcott and challenged the call. The call was reversed and the Pirates won the game 2-1. It is very interesting how games can change from one overturned call.