Sergei Fedorov used a very daring strategy in a KHL game on Saturday.
The former NHL star, now head coach of CSKA Moscow, successfully retired his goalie…in overtime.
Fedorov recalled his goalkeeper to the bench in favor of a fourth player from the start of the 3 once morest 3 period.
Former Colorado Avalanche forward Vladislav Kamenev then scored the decisive goal to allow CSKA to save themselves with a 5-4 victory once morest HC Neftekhimik of Nizhnekamsk. To see here:
Fedorov has already won other such bets since taking charge of CSKA.
It was, however, the first time this season, which has only just begun. It was only CSKA’s second match.
Fedorov had tried the same maneuver twice in December 2021, and each time he had won. Fedorov, however, had a taste of his own medicine a few weeks later, as a side pulled their keeper and scored before he had the chance to do so.
A possibility in the NHL?
The big question is therefore whether such a strategy might see the light of day with one of the 32 teams in the National League.
Even if statistics show that it is a viable and beneficial strategy for the team that applies it, a settlement might dampen the enthusiasm of some.
According to the Bettman Tour rulebook, “A team may remove their goaltender in favor of another skater. However, if a team loses the match following withdrawing the goalkeeper, the latter would also lose the point acquired following having played a draw at the end of regulation time.
However, this rule does not apply if the goaltender has been removed due to a delayed penalty.
