Bobby McMann of the Leafs has his first NHL goal waived in an unusual way

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 Wings, the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie, who was playing in his second-ever NHL game, thought he scored his first career goal just seconds into the contest. For everyone watching from television and in the arena, what seemed like an amazing story quickly became confusing.

McMann skillfully kicked his puck to take an in-tight shot with his stick. However, it struck Olli Maatta from Detroit and was knocked into Olli Maatta’s net. The goal was ruled null.

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 There are many ways to kick. 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 scoring six points in his three previous games, the Wainwright, Alta. native, stood at 6-foot-2 and weighed in at 207 lbs. He was second in the Marlies with 24 goals.

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