Paul Stewart: Holtby Had Uniform and Equipment Violations in Game 1

Good stuff. Semi-related, but I can't remember why the NHL made the "no jersey tuck" rule. Was that a "safety" issue, or something else?

What some teams do to get an advantage....

I have another question about a play that occurred last night -
Smith-Pelly blocked a shot and his skate guard game off. As the Vegas player was skating near him, he shot the guard in the direction of the player with the puck. Could that have been called interference?
In fact, it was the play where Vegas got the winning goal.

Good stuff. Semi-related, but I can't remember why the NHL made the "no jersey tuck" rule. Was that a "safety" issue, or something else?
- jcragcrumple

I've heard it's because it covers jersey space that they eventually want to advertise on...

I have another question about a play that occurred last night -
Smith-Pelly blocked a shot and his skate guard game off. As the Vegas player was skating near him, he shot the guard in the direction of the player with the puck. Could that have been called interference?
In fact, it was the play where Vegas got the winning goal.
- powerenforcer

The interference rule does make it a penalty to shoot equipment on the ice in the direction of the puck carrier or to shoot equipment away from a player trying to retrieve it. I would think that same rule would apply to the situation you described.

Rules not being enforced and refs failing to make calls that the whole building sees....this is new in the world of NHL red arm banding???

Yes, either enforce the rule or remove it from the rule book. And why didn’t someone in NHL headquarters call down to the ice and inform the refs of the infractions. It seems no one anywhere in the NHL cares to enforce the rules.

And since they’ve allowed interference back in the game, how about a crackdown on cross checking?

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they want it called strictly by the book. Consistency is what everyone wants. The problem is every game is called different, and nobody, players included, knows what's acceptable.

I think you've made an error here on Holtby's shorts. There is no way a goalie can wear the same pants as a skater and still move with knee pads and thigh boards engaged. It's not possible nor is the protection sufficient. Goalie pants are covered by section 3, rule 11.4. There are separate measurements and requirements listed here, which Holtby may or may not be in violation of, but he certainly has no requirement to wear the same pants as a skater based on these rules.

I think you've made an error here on Holtby's shorts. There is no way a goalie can wear the same pants as a skater and still move with knee pads and thigh boards engaged. It's not possible nor is the protection sufficient. Goalie pants are covered by section 3, rule 11.4. There are separate measurements and requirements listed here, which Holtby may or may not be in violation of, but he certainly has no requirement to wear the same pants as a skater based on these rules.
- JCalogero

Incorrect. While you cite the rule that applies to the measurements of the goalie's pants, there is nothing in the rule that permits for deviations (such as the Trevor Kidd example of a hand towel or, in Holtby's case, have the tie-up lace so long that it drops down his thigh). That is not permitted for any player. The rule that applies here is that all players on each team must be dressed uniformly, covered under the section I cited.