CALGARY, Alberta — The Rangers’ frustrations from a failed challenge on the Flames’ power-play goal Thursday night was evident both immediately after the call and later in the game.
After Yegor Sharangovich blasted a one-timer with the man advantage to make it a 2-0 game just under 8 ½ minutes into the second period, Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette challenged for a hand pass prior to the goal.
The puck did make contact with Jonathan Huberdeau, who appeared to try to catch the puck before it deflected off of his glove and right to Matt Coronato.
It allowed the Flames to keep possession and work the puck around the zone before Sharangovich found the back of the Rangers net.
Refs determined the Flames did not gain an advantage from the play, so the goal stood.
“He opened up his hand to play the puck, he goes to grab it, and it bats off of his hand and goes right to the player,” an adamant Laviolette said after the the Rangers’ 3-2 loss at Scotiabank Saddledome. “It got called dead two more times in the game — the exact same plays. It gets called dead every time. Any time that ever happens on the ice, it gets called dead. I don’t understand. I still don’t understand.”
There were a couple hand pass calls after the fact, which specifically drew the ire of Vincent Trocheck.
The Rangers’ second-line center let the officials hear his displeasure with their performance, which led to Trocheck taking a seat in the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct at the 6:44 mark of the third period.
Rangers’ loss to the Flames. Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
“We can’t take those penalties, but yeah, we were frustrated,” Laviolette said.
Igor Shesterkin got the starting nod against the Flames, marking his 14th start of the season. The star Russian netminder made 46 saves on 49 shots in the loss.
Thursday night counted as Laviolette’s 100th game with the Rangers.
His 67 wins are the most by a Rangers head coach through the first 100 games of a tenure.
The Rangers are scheduled to be off Friday in Edmonton before they face the Oilers on Saturday night.