Marian Hossa thought he gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 1-0 lead in the first period Thursday night at Gila River Arena.
Instead, Arizona issued a coach’s challenge. The officials ruled in favor of Arizona despite video evidence showing Coyotes defenseman Klas Dahlbeck pushing Hossa into goaltender Louis Domingue immediately before the goal was scored.
It was a questionable call, no doubt, and coach Joel Quenneville was arguing there was a push before contact. When referee Marc Joanette came over to explain it to Quenneville, the veteran coach got right in his face.
Hossa got his 495th career goal back in the second period and made sure the officials knew it counted.
After the game, Hossa had a few choice words about the NHL’s challenge system when he spoke to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times.
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a joke. I tried to battle in front of the net and I don’t have any intention to touch the goalie, just try to battle through the two guys and put the puck in the net. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the playoffs, if there’s going to be calls after calls after calls. But I don’t think it’s good for the league.”
Hossa tallied a goal and an assist in Chicago’s 5-4 overtime win over Arizona.