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Crazy Scene as Referee Waives Off Goal Because Goalie Wasn't Ready

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 12:49 PM ET

A crazy scene unfolded in the Calder Cup Finals as a goal from the Charlotte Checkers was waived off because Abbotsford's goaltender wasn't ready.

The Charlotte Checkers believed that they had won Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals against the Abbotsford Canucks, only to have the would-be GWG waived off for a crazy reason.

Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs, who emerged as an unsung hero for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup postseason last year, had his back turned to the play as the face-off was commencing.

Canucks center Ty Mueller won the draw so cleanly that it went straight behind Silovs and into the net. The celebration was on for the Checkers and their fans, but was soon subdued.

Minutes later, the Canucks would score the OT GWG; they now lead the series 1-0.

Checkers head coach Gordie Kinnear was disappointed with the outcome but didn't appear to be overly upset with the call that cost his club the victory in the series opener.

Just that the goalie wasn't set, wasn't ready for the faceoff. A bit old school, but the centreman's ready to take the faceoff, his job is to make sure everybody is ready before he gets his head over the circle. It is what it is. It's playoff hockey, there are going to be mistakes both ways.

Yeah, I thought it was a goal, and then all of a sudden there was hesitation from the refs. Credit to (the refs). They got together and they made the call. Again, I just see it as the centreman's responsible for making sure everyone on his team is ready. It looked like he was ready to play.

Game 2 between the Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, and the Canucks is Sunday.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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