The clock

[Zoller]

So... What exactly happened there?

I have literally never seen something like that happen. For it to happen when all eyes were on the NHL made it look bush league imo.

Does anyone have an explanation for this? Is this just the cap off to a year of the worst officiating we've ever seen where even the time keepers can't get it right?

EMBARRASSING *kicks garbage can*

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I kept expecting Vegas to score only to have them review it and find out that the clock had already run out and a massive riot to ensue.

[Moneyhands23]

Very suspect indeed...

[getbak]

It happens every once in a while. That's why the timekeepers have actual stopwatches they use to track the time, regardless of what the clock on the scoreboard says. They can also use the video replay to determine exactly how much time has expired.

34.7 Verification of Time - Any loss of time on the game or penalty clocks due to a false face-off must be replaced as appropriate. The Video Goal Judge may be consulted to ensure the time is accurately replaced.

In the event of any dispute regarding time, the matter shall be referred to the Referees for adjudication and their decision shall be final. They may use the Video Goal Judge to assist in rendering their final decision. (See Rule 38 – Video Goal Judge.) The Game Timekeeper shall assist to verify game time using an additional timing device (League-approved stopwatch).

In the event that clock fails to operate when play resumes, the on-ice officials may elect to stop play provided there is no imminent scoring opportunity or wait until the next legitimate stoppage of play. In cooperation with the Game Timekeeper and the Video Goal Judge, the clock is to be reset to the appropriate time.

In the event that a video replay shows a goal was scored prior to the play being stopped, the Video Goal Judge will inform the Game Timekeeper and Official Scorer of the time of goal and the amount of playing time left to be reset on the game clock.

[savemedrzaius]

I don't know why the refs didn't blow the whistle once there was no scoring chances. They had tons of chances to stop play and didn't.

[getbak]

They did briefly sound the "horn of doom" when it first messed up and the puck was going back into the Vegas zone. They probably should have stopped play then.

[cKy]

There is a lot of moving parts with live entertainment. It can happen to any sport - even the biggest NA one of them all..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUnvFw9Cd4U

[カナダ人です]

Probably the LA Kings timekeeper

[nickerjones]

Russian spies

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I don't know why the refs didn't blow the whistle once there was no scoring chances. They had tons of chances to stop play and didn't.

Because that would alter puck possession at a critical time in the game. The score keepers knew the actual time. The refs don't care about the clock, it's not their problem.

[Galakanokis]

Clocks fail all the time it's just that people rarely notice. I would scrabble to look into the clock 10 times a year. The problem is not the "clock" but what is being used to display it or the software controlling the display.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by getbak

They did briefly sound the "horn of doom" when it first messed up and the puck was going back into the Vegas zone. They probably should have stopped play then.

I thought I heard the horn too. That’s why I was surprised no players really stopped.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I don't know why the refs didn't blow the whistle once there was no scoring chances. They had tons of chances to stop play and didn't.

Because the officials know the timekeepers had a back-up clock.

This is hardly unprecedented.

In fact, I've been to games here in Calgary - though a Hitmen game - where the clock died and a team was on the powerplay. They actually had the PA announce when there was 1 minute, 30 seconds and 10 seconds left in the man advantage.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Damn it Obama!