LEGACE... SCORES?

After a weekend of entertaining hockey at Harbour Station, all eyes are on what went down in the Harbour Station press box on Sunday afternoon in the third period.

With the Saint John Sea Dogs and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles tied at two goals apiece, the Sea Dogs went to the power play. But that didn’t stop the Eagles as Jacob Legace set up a two-on-one while shorthanded. His pass could not connect with his team mate Luke Adam at the side of the goal and the puck went around the goal.

With Saint John starter Karel St. Laurent completely out of position, Legace had a wide open cage to give Cape Breton the lead.

St. Laurent dove across the crease but came up short of the puck as, at least it appeared, hit the crossbar and went to the other side of the Sea Dogs’ zone. All of this happened at 14:14.

Legace began celebrating but play continued, all but cementing a review on the next whistle. Finally, with 3:38 left on the clock, the play was reviewed. And after a lengthy phone conversation, the official waived his warmed and declared that Legace did indeed score his 32nd goal of the season.

Fans at Harbour Station were upset but satisfied that the off-ice officials had seen something they didn’t. The clock was reset to 6:46 but it didn’t matter as the Sea Dogs couldn’t score.

But on the News 88.9 post-game show, some rather disturbing details were given. Play-by-play man Tim Roszell said that several off-ice officials, including the camera operator, had not seen any evidence that the puck did go in the net.

Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant and his staff were seen after the game talking to the off-ice officials at ice level, no doubt wanting an explanation as to why the goal was declared “good.” All of this according to Roszell.

As brought up on the post-game show, this isn’t the first time there has been some problems with the video replay at Harbour Station towards the home side. In a game against the Halifax Mooseheads during the 2007-08 season, the Mooseheads were given the game winning goal after they scored on a shot that went under the back side of the net.

Later on, it was revealed that the QMJHL issued an apology to the Sea Dogs organization saying they screwed up the call. Saint John lost the division title that year to Halifax by one win.

This review will likely not have the same impact as it did two years ago with the Sea Dogs leading the division by 12 points over second place Moncton.

No statement on if the Sea Dogs are appealing the call has been released.

Video of the play can be seen starting at 3:13 below.