The rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators never fails to deliver drama, but what transpired Wednesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre was downright bizarre. Despite a thrilling 3-2 victory for Montreal, the hockey world is buzzing this morning about a «phantom goal» that the officiating crew completely ignored.
The «Goal» That Wasn’t
Early in the third period, Juraj Slafkovsky was at the center of a sequence that has since gone viral. Replay footage clearly shows the puck crossing the goal line behind Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark. However, in a shocking lapse, play continued as if nothing had happened. Social media has been in total meltdown over the missed call, with fans questioning how such a clear goal could be overlooked in the era of high-definition reviews.
Youth Movement Fuels the Win
While the officials missed the mark, the Canadiens’ young stars did not. Jacob Fowler was outstanding in net, stopping 32 shots to earn his first win with the big club since early January. Meanwhile, Ivan Demidov continues his offensive tear, recording a goal and an assist to reach the 51-point mark this season.
History for Slafkovsky
Despite the controversy, Slafkovsky had a night to remember. By recording a point in this game, the young power forward surpassed the legendary Henri Richard for the most points in franchise history before the age of 22. With 164 career points, Slafkovsky is cementing his status as a cornerstone of the rebuild.
Playoff Race Intensifies
With a 6-1-3 record over their last 10 games, Montreal is now tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division. Even without Cole Caufield (out with a virus), the Habs found their rhythm, with Alexandre Texier scoring in his return and Lane Hutson delivering a masterclass on the blue line.