Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette Loses his Cool and Publicly Blasts the Officials in Last Night's Game

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Daniel Lucente
November 22, 2024 (10:18)

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Peter Laviolette wasn't very happy with the officiating in last night's Rangers game, and he was very critical of the failed challenges for hand passing.

The New York Rangers lost a close, 3-2 hockey game against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday night, making for a dramatic game thanks to a disputed coach's challenge.

Calgary jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period with goals from Matt Coronato and Yegor Sharangovich.

Sharangovich's goal scored on a power play, came after the puck deflected off Jonathan Huberdeau's glove before he sent it past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

But Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette immediately challenged the play, believing the deflection should have been ruled a hand pass.

However, after reviewing a video replay, on-ice officials ruled the contact with Huberdeau's glove was incidental and allowed the goal to stand.

Laviolette voiced his displeasure with the call during his post-game comments, citing frustration with similar rulings.

«He opened up his hand to play the puck, and he goes to grab it,» Laviolette said.«It bats off of his hand and goes right to the player. It got called two more times in the game. The exact same plays. It gets called dead every time. Any time it ever happens on the ice it gets called dead. I don't understand. I still don't understand.»

Still down a pair of goals, the Rangers battled back on markers by Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle to tie the contest at 2-2.

However, Calgary's Connor Zary tallied the winning goal in the third period to seal the deal.

Flames goalie Dustin Wolf stopped 27 of 29 shots, while Shesterkin faced 49 and made 46 saves in a spirited effort.

Rangers captain Jacob Trouba acknowledged after the game the effect the failed challenge had on taking away the team's momentum.

"I don't know the exact definition of the rule," Trouba said. "I thought it was definitely worth a challenge. Pucks hit gloves that are kind of in the air and it's deemed a hand pass, and this game it's kind of a similar play."

New York will try to get back on track on Saturday when they visit the Edmonton Oilers.