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Originally Posted by GioforPM

There's no reason to assume the Oilers win a faceoff, so they have a 50% chance of losing possession. So the whistle denies them sure possession with forward momentum, and puts the goalie back in the net (or risks a Flames faceoff win and easy goal). A mid-ice faceoff usually eats a good five seconds off the clock as well. It also allowed the Flames defenders the same rest.