Quote:
Originally Posted by Since1984
I think the missing part of everyone's interpretation of the kicking motion issue is that the NHL looks at the rule as a whole:
The bolded above is the definitive point of the rule. A player can kick their foot at the puck and deflect the puck into the net. However if the kick actual propels the puck, then it is not a goal.
Here is exactly what the NHL looks at when reviewing these plays:
As others have said it is a safety rule, so a gray area indeed....
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This is a good point, but even the dictionary definitions of "propel" would include a "redirection using existing inertia" like what we saw last night:
Quote:
drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
to drive forward or onward by or as if by means of a force that imparts motion
to push or move something somewhere, often with a lot of force
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The rule also says nothing about "direction of the player/skate", inertia of the puck, and whether there is a change of direction. If that's the criteria they should clarify it in the rule instead of making it ambiguous.