Bobby McMann, Leafs’ first NHL goal, is reaffirmed in an unusual manner

Bobby McMann’s dreams came true, then they were quickly taken away from him.

During the first period of Thursday’s game against the Detroit Red WingsThe Toronto Maple Leafs rookie, who was playing his second-ever NHL match, believed he had scored his first career goal only seconds into the contest. For everyone watching in the arena or on television, what seemed like an amazing story quickly became a blur.

McMann skillfully kicked a puck to take an in-tight shot, but it was blocked by a Detroit defender Olli Maatta It was then redirected into the net. It was then called back, and it was ruled “no goals.”

Rule 49.2 of the NHL rulebook explains it a little bit further: “A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net with his skate/foot,” the rule reads. “A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official.”

McMann deliberately kicked the puck, in an effort to get it on his stick. The puck went off Maatta’s stick and into the back of Maatta’s net. This was correct, though it was accidental.

We all know how polarizing this can be Different kicking motions Rule can be, but not many people knew this was illegal before this ruling. As with any odd ruling from the league – like the countless questionable goaltender interference calls we get every season – the hockey world took notice.

McMann, 26, has seven assists and eight goals in 17 games this season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. After registering six points in each of his previous three games, McMann, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 207 pounds, was named AHL Player Of The Week. He was second on the Marlies with 24 goals.

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