They say that fortunes can turn on a dime. In Wednesday night’s game against the Flyers, the Capitals fortunes were changed in an instant on a single call from the press box.
Just 23 seconds into game, the Capitals were looking at a 1-0 deficit. But then the Capitals’ video review coach’s Tim Ohashi and Brett Leonhardt stepped in, and said not so fast. The Capitals would call for a review of the goal, stating that Braden Holtby was interfered with on the play.
The review would confirm what Ohashi and Leonhardt originally saw as it happened. Flyers left winger Dale Weise, #22, came through the goal crease and pushed Braden Holtby away from the play, just before the puck was shot into the net. Ultimately the play was ruled as “goalie interference” and the goal was disallowed.
Coach Trotz was asked about the play, and the work of the Capitals video review coaches following the game.
This was the second game in a row in which the video review coaches successfully nullified an opponents score. In Sunday’s game against the Rangers, New York appeared to take a 2-0 lead on a goal by Mika Zibanejad at 16:45 of the first period. The Capitals challenged the play for being offsides. The replay confirmed the play was indeed offsides, and the goal was disallowed.
CSN’s Tarik El-Bashir asked Holtby about the initial goal that was waved off. Holtby gave praise, and a future meal, to the Capitals video review coaches.
Holtby didn’t like the goal that was disallowed. Said he got bailed out by the #Caps video crew, whom he says he now owes dinner.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 23, 2017
Holtby also called the #Caps video review coaches (Leonhardt and Ohashi) the best in the NHL at coaches’ challenges.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 23, 2017
Leonhardt was a college goalie and worked in the NHL war room in T.O. So he’s well versed in what plays are likely to be reversed.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 23, 2017
As noted, this was not the first time a video review would come up big for the Capitals this season, and it likely wont be the last. It’s good to know that the Capitals video review team is also clicking on all cylinders.
By Jon Sorensen
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