Dallas Stars Take Series Lead Against Winnipeg Jets in Controversial Game

The Dallas Stars edged ahead in their playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets with a 2-1 lead following a contentious goal late in Game 3 on Sunday night.

With just over 16 minutes left in the game, Alexander Petrovich found the back of the net. The play was scrutinized heavily as NHL officials conducted a video review lasting more than five minutes to confirm whether Petrovich had indeed scored.

Ultimately, the decision was made that Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck inadvertently helped the puck cross the goal line, giving Dallas a crucial 3-2 advantage at that moment. The game concluded with a final score of 5-2 in favor of the Stars.

Jets coach Scott Arniel expressed his displeasure with the interpretation of the rules related to the goal. “If the puck gets kicked or hits another player or stick, it should not count. It hit our goaltender’s stick before going in—this shouldn’t be a goal,” Arniel argued. “I’ve never seen the rules applied this way before.”

Peter DeBoer, the Stars’ head coach, appreciated the effort taken by the officials to review the play thoroughly, emphasizing the importance of making the correct call.

The sequence leading to Petrovich’s goal began with a shot from Mikko Rantanen, whose shot deflected off Hellebuyck, redirecting it back toward the net. Rantanen noted that while he saw a kicking motion, he wasn’t completely sure about the legality of the goal but was thankful it was allowed.

For Petrovich, celebrating his first playoff goal in nine years, he described it as a “lucky goal,” which might not sit well with many fans, as reactions on social media have suggested a general mix of confusion and dissatisfaction regarding the officiating.

Game 4 of the series is scheduled to take place in Dallas on Tuesday.