'I Don't Really Understand The Reasoning': Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz Wants Whistles For Goalies Losing Skate Blades In Non-Critical Plays
Stolarz played the final minute of the second period on Saturday without a skate blade as play continued on.
Anthony Stolarz had to be assisted off the ice by two teammates after losing a skate blade in the final minute of the second period during the Toronto Maple Leafs' 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Throughout the sequence, Stolarz remained in the butterfly position, holding on until the period ended at Scotiabank Arena.
"Why isn’t he blowing the whistle?" Stolarz said when asked about his thoughts during that moment. "I understand it when there’s an imminent scoring chance, but I didn’t do it on purpose."
As it turns out, NHL officials are not obligated to stop play when any player, including a goaltender, loses a skate blade.
Former Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask experienced this in 2018 during a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After defenseman Mikhail Sergachev scored, Rask angrily threw his detached skate blade in frustration.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GC5wV1NaEo[/embed]
The NHL rulebook, under Rule 9.6, specifies that play doesn't have to be stopped unless a goalie loses a helmet. Loss of other equipment does not automatically lead to a stoppage. Additionally, Rule 65.2 states:
"Play shall not be stopped, nor the game delayed for adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates, or sticks. A minor penalty will be given for infringing this rule. However, if a player or goalie loses or breaks a skate blade, the Referee may allow the play to continue before stopping it."
Essentially, the decision is left to the referee's discretion, which explains why no stoppage occurred.
If Stolarz seemed frustrated, it’s understandable—similar to Rask, he's been impacted by a lost skate blade costing him a goal.
While playing for the Anaheim Ducks against the Los Angeles Kings on October 6, 2021, Stolarz lost a skate blade, leaving him helpless in his crease as Arthur Kaliyev scored.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQq-Dw6lhC8[/embed]
That wasn’t the only instance it happened to Stolarz, as helost skate blades in previous games with the Ducks against both the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild, though neither instance led to a goal.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsXYTBURp1g[/embed]
In both of those instances, the play was whistled down for Stolarz.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PPhi_DDbI4[/embed]
"At the end of the day, it’s about player safety. I’m sitting there, not realizing it, and kicking out, and your groin is just kind of going," Stolarz explained. "If there’s an imminent scoring chance, I understand, but the puck was at the other end. I don’t understand why they couldn’t just blow the whistle, fix it, even if they gave a faceoff in our zone. No goalie does this on purpose to get a whistle."
In this case, it appears the official simply didn’t see it There seems to be some gray area between the two rules stated in the yearbook and perhaps something more explicit should be explored in this particular instance.
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