You know the NHL is back when we're questioning calls on the ice.
In the first period of Sunday's Flyers-Sabres game in Buffalo, the Sabres' season opener, the Flyers scored what appeared to be the equalizer, getting the puck to float over the top of Ryan Miller and into the net. The Flyers began to celebrate, but that didn't last, as referee Steve Kozari waved off the goal immediately.
The call was goaltender interference against Ruslan Fedotenko, who appeared to nudge Miller in the crease. Perhaps it was the right call by the letter of the law, but it was pretty darn soft. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette wasn't too happy with the call, as you can imagine.
Then, in the closing minutes of the game, once again the Flyers put the puck in the net but had it called off as it came after the whistle. The puck wasn't covered as it trickled into the net, but the officials were screened by Miller and the Flyers' protests were to no avail.
The final score was 5-2 Sabres, the fifth goal coming on an empty-netter from Thomas Vanek. You can do the math and that's two goals that could have easily counted for the Flyers in what was essentially a two-goal game. It just wasn't the Flyers' day.
Hey, the refs didn't have a preseason either.
On hardly a side note (and there will be more on him later today), Vanek had quite a game with a five-point day. Not too shabby.
For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @StubitsCBS on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube account and like us on Facebook.
