Commissioner Gary Bettman supported the Ducks’ OT goal ruling

NEW YORK — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered his unequivocal support Tuesday Anaheim DucksGoal against overtime Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.

“It wasn’t a debate, it was absolutely the right call,” Bettman said in a meeting with Associated Press sports editors at NHL headquarters in New York City. “Because of the technology we use today and the cameras we have inside the net, you can see it, know for sure it’s going to be in and over the line.”

Bateman’s response came two days later Ryan PoehlingIts goal was extensively reviewed to determine whether it had crossed the goal line completely before being allowed to stand in the 4–3 victory. The Ducks are up 3-1 heading into Game 5 in Edmonton on Tuesday night and have a chance to win the series.

Although on-ice officials ruled Poehling to score, questions were raised as to whether there was enough visual evidence to show the puck crossed the line with 2:29 left in overtime.

Pohling’s sharp-angle shot hit the skate of an Edmonton forward and went under the goalie. Tristan Jarry. The puck sailed through Jarry’s legs, seemingly barely crossing the goal line, even though the top of the puck was hidden by the goalie’s skate blade.

NHL replay officials determined there was no reason to overturn the on-ice call.

“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everybody was celebrating. Did it go in? I’m like, ‘I think so?’ But yes, that’s what I thought.”

Oilers coach Chris Knoblauch wasn’t convinced.

“I don’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I don’t see the line. … The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe more. When they got to center ice they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very specific.”

Bettman said Tuesday that the NHL is currently testing technological advances that will further assist replay officials in determining goals. He did not divulge any details or provide a timeline on when the technology would be rolled out.