HCD sports director Jan Alston is terribly annoyed. Not only because his team conceded the equalizer 19 seconds before the end. But above all regarding what happens immediately beforehand: Zug’s Anton Lander drives in front of the goal, stands with his back to the game in front of HCD goalie Sandro Aeschlimann – and moves his stick up and down in front of his face.
An unsportsmanlike. That’s why the Davosers’ hands are tied, so a challenge can’t be taken recently. The referees did not call the possible penalty. The collection of rule changes and interpretations by Swiss Ice Hockey clearly states: “An attacking field player who stands outside the goal area in front of the opposing goalkeeper and acts in such a way that he puts his arms or stick in front of the goalkeeper’s face and pans here will be penalized with a minor penalty (Rule 75).»
«The Sean Avery Rule»
In the NHL, this rule even has a name: “The Sean Avery Rule”. NHL warhorse Sean Avery (42) upset many a keeper. The rule was introduced immediately following the then Rangers forward diverted the focus from Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (49) in the 2008 playoffs.
Referee supervisor Simon Wüst, who was in Davos, commented on SRF following the game: “It’s definitely at the limit. You can see that he makes the movement once. But live it’s difficult to tell if he’s trying to deflect the puck or deflect the goalie. That’s why they didn’t punish it.” This explanation is also understandable for referee chief Andreas Fischer.
HCD goalkeeper Sandro Aeschlimann, who was extremely disappointed with the elimination, says of the incident: “I know the rule. It was maybe borderline.” But instead of Lander, he is hard on himself. “I have to look for the disc better.”
Lander will not be fooled
And how does the EVZ Swede see his action? One thing is certain: Lander, who played for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL from 2011 to 2017, at least knows the “Sean Avery Rule”. But he can’t be fooled. “I was running late to get in front of the goal before the shot was fired. I just wanted to take the sight of their strong goalie and be ready when the puck comes.”
It is well known how the story continues: Hofmann’s hammer goes in to make it 1-1. And following 45 seconds of the first overtime, EVZ captain Jan Kovar shoots his team into the final.
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Who will be crowned the top scorer of this year’s ice hockey playoffs? Which goalie holds tight best? Which “bad boy” gets the most penalty minutes? And of course: who will be crowned champion? You can answer these questions yourself in the “Blick Playoff Trophy” by submitting your bets. In addition, you can bet on all individual playoff duels up to the start of the games.
Of course there is also something to win. An Apple Watch Series 7, vouchers from Wishcard and for the Thermi Spa in Bad Schinznach beckon.
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