Bettman Defends Ducks' Overtime Goal and Edmonton Fans Are Still Furious

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman just dropped the hammer on the controversy that has Edmonton absolutely seething. Two days after Ryan Poehling's overtime goal stood in Game 4, giving the Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 win and a 3-1 series lead, Bettman made it crystal clear: there was nothing wrong with the call.

"It wasn't a controversy, it was absolutely the right call," Bettman said Tuesday at NHL headquarters in New York during a meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors. "Because of the technology that we currently use and the cameras that we have inside the net, you could see it, knew for certain that it would be in and over the line."

The Goal That Started It All

Here's the play that has Oilers fans losing their minds. Poehling's sharp-angle shot went 2:29 into overtime, hitting an Edmonton player's skate in front before trickling under goalie Tristan Jarry. The puck crept through Jarry's legs and appeared to barely cross the goal line, but here's the thing: the top portion of the puck was hidden behind the goalie's skate blade. On-ice officials ruled it a goal immediately. NHL replay officials reviewed it extensively and found no reason to overturn the call.

What Poehling Saw (And What Jarry Didn't Stop)

Even Poehling himself wasn't 100 percent sure in the moment. "I thought I saw some white between the puck and the goal line when I was behind the net," he said. "Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I'm like, 'I think so?' But yeah, I thought so right away."

The Ducks now have their chance to clinch the series in Game 5 at Edmonton on Tuesday night. With the technology available and the camera angles the league has, Bettman is saying this one is case closed.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.