Don Cherry on Columbus’ controversial goal: ‘That should be reviewable’

Last night, the Boston Bruins were nearly able to shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets in their 4-1 win. Columbus' lone goal did come in the first period, but many felt that it shouldn't have counted.

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On the play, the puck deflected out of play into the netting, but the referees didn't see it. As a result, the goal counted. It wasn't reviewable, and that seemed odd to many.

Former Bruins coach Don Cherry was among the crowd that thought the play should be reviewable. He expressed this sentiment on Sportsnet's Coach's Corner and said the following.

It should be over the glass, and that should be reviewable. They should have a little mic: 'It hit the net, it hit the net.'

Cherry does have a point here. After all, the NHL has the ability to review offsides plays and can call back goals for infractions that happened well before the actual goal. Why shouldn't that be the case for pucks that go into the net? In this case, it would have ensured that the Bruins could keep a 2-0 lead as opposed to a 2-1 lead. And in the first period, that would have been a big deal.

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While the NHL did explain that the play can be reviewed, it was with the stipulation that it was only reviewable if the puck "immediately" went into the net. Because the puck was passed once after deflecting out, it wasn't considered to be an immediate goal. Perhaps that part of the rule needs some clarity.