The Rulebook

Clarification is Sorely Needed


It is not often when I find myself in agreement with Bozo the Clown 1, 2, and 3 (as I tend to refer to the national commentators on NBC or Versus broadcasts. Snark warning: Be glad I don't watch Don Cherry. I doubt I'd be as polite, and of course, it's all in jesting fun).

In all seriousness, aside from hits to the head--a matter which at least, according to the Hockey News, the NHL has promised to discuss this offseason--the league has got to do something about this "distinct kicking motion" rule.

Frankly speaking, I've seen too many goals this postseason (I'm sure they occurred during the regular season, but the playoffs trump all) scored or not scored by that "distinct kicking motion." The rule, or at least the interpretation of the rule, is a mess.

Questions I've asked, Comments I've had:

• Was that player really just trying to stop and the puck inadvertently went in off his skates? And if that's the case, why is that goal a goal, and in another case, it was ruled not a goal? Talk about inconsistency!

• Was that a "distinct kicking motion?" It depends on your interpretation. Who's doing the interpreting, and why is the interpretation different? Why is what appears to be the same exact incident resulting in a goal at one game and a disallowed goal at another game? The lack of consistency is baffling and annoying?

• If players don't know what a goal is, and if coaches don't know what a goal is, and if these Bozo the Clown experts who, I will concede, have played the game, can't tell what a goal is, well, how in the world can anyone else?

• Would the NHL, once and for all, please, please, pretty please, ensure the rulebook makes sense and can be accurately and consistently applied in every situation? Seriously. Please? Pretty, pretty, please?

All my questioning and commentary aside, the fact of the matter is that this rule has to be clarified. As much as I love all the stuff the new captain of my team, and currently the best player in the NHL, can do with his feet, a part of me wonders if the NHL needs to enforce something as simple as this: You must shoot the puck in the net, with your stick, to score a goal. (Now, of course deflections off the other's team's defensemen, sticks, skates, would be permissible.)

Yet even the league doesn't need a statement that simple, it surely needs something better than the inconsistency to which coaches, players, and fans have been subjected throughout the entire postseason. For the pure purposes of fair competition, I plead with the NHL: clarify the rule. Please.

No, it won't ensure longer careers or safety on the ice. But being able to know what the rules are can only help sell the sport to new fans. Beyond that, however, it's just common sense.

(Snark Warning: Any guesses as to how long it will take for the NHL to apply common sense to solve a problem?)