What Happened
Auston Matthews was called for delay-of-game midway through the third period of Toronto's loss to Calgary on Monday, with the Maple Leafs trailing by a goal. It was Toronto's seventh penalty and wiped out a power play that had just started. Officials ruled Matthews played the puck with his glove after a faceoff, a violation under NHL Rule 67.2. Matthews said he received no explanation and that referees need to be certain on such calls. Coach Jim Hiller said the referees explained the puck hit Matthews' glove.
Key Details
- The penalty came midway through the third period with Toronto down 1-0 in goals.
- It was the Maple Leafs' seventh penalty of the game.
- The call negated a Toronto power play that had just begun.
- Rule 67.2 bars faceoff participants from playing the puck with their hands until a third player touches it.
- Matthews said officials did not explain the call to him.
- Hiller said referees told him the puck struck Matthews' glove.
What It Means
The call cost Toronto a late power play while trailing by one, and Matthews' public comments add scrutiny to how Rule 67.2 is applied on faceoffs. The rule limits hand contact by the centres until another player touches the puck, leaving officials to judge whether the glove made contact. Matthews said he fell on the play and was unsure of the rule's specifics.