On Thursday, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mark Fraser scored his first NHL goal in over four years, and it also happened to be of some controversy.
The goal came with St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman on the ice, in pain, after taking an incidental knee to the head from the Oilers’ Jesse Joensuu.
Joensuu was trying to avoid contact, by jumping over Jackman, who fell trying to play the puck, however he clipped the Blues defenseman with his left leg. The goal counted, despite Jackman down on the ice for several seconds between the contact with Joensuu and when the puck went past Ryan Miller.
For Fraser, it was his first goal since March 2, 2010. It also tied the game at 2-2 heading into the third period.
NHL Rule 8.1: "When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his bench, the play shall not be stopped until the (1/3)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 14, 2014
Cont'd: "... injured player's team has secured possession of the puck....In the case where it is obvious that a player has sustained (2/3)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 14, 2014
Cont'd: "... a serious injury, the referee and/or linesman may stop the play immediately." (2/3)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 14, 2014