Recapping The Canucks Success On Coach's Challenges During The 2023-24 Season
The Vancouver Canucks had a 75% success rate when challenging goals during the 2023-24 season.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Recapping The Canucks Success On Coach's Challenges During The 2023-24 SeasonChallenging plays have become a crucial part of the NHL. Whether it is offside, goalie interference or a potential stoppage, the coach's challenges allow teams to ensure that the correct call on the ice is made and that goals are not improperly awarded. While the Vancouver Canucks did not utilize the coach's challenge regularly during the regular season, they had a high overturn success rate, winning three of their four challenges.
During the 2023-24 season, the Canucks won two offside challenges and one goaltender interference call. All three came in November, which resulted in goals being overturned against the Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken. The only challenge Rick Tocchet and his staff lost was a controversial call against the Dallas Stars in late March. This came after Vancouver challenged that Jason Robertson had played the puck with a high stick before the Stars eventually scored. After review, it was determined not to be a high stick, leading to a coach's challenge loss and delay of game penalty.
As for times Canucks goals were challenged, only one out of five was upheld. Vancouver lost three goals due to interference challenges, including one from an offside. The three offside challenges came in games against the Sharks, Philidelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils, while the offside was against the Buffalo Sabres. The only challenge that was not overturned was during a home game against the Sabres in March on Conor Garland's goal. Buffalo challenged for interference, but were unsuccessful in their challenge.
Ultimately, challenges have the potential to change games if used correctly. This was evident in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final when the Edmonton Oilers challenged for offside, which took the Florida Panthers' first goal of the game off the board. While Tocchet and his team don't use challenges often, it is a positive that they are frequently correct in ensuring that only legitimate goals are counted.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
