Latvian challenges negate two U.S. goals in Olympic opener

And the early frontrunner for Olympic gold in men’s hockey is… the Latvian video coaches?

Thanks to reviews initiated by Latvia, two goals by Team USA were wiped off the scoreboard during their preliminary-round opening game on Thursday: One for offside and one for goaltender interference, both in the first period.

The early offside challenge on Quinn Hughes’ goal was fairly standard — Brock Nelson entered the zone before the puck — but Latvia used it to their advantage to tie up the game on the ensuing shift.

It was the goaltender interference call just under five minutes later, however, that left some fans scratching their heads.

Nelson thought he had scored the go-ahead goal for the Americans with some commotion in front of goalie Elvis Merzlikins. But Latvia called for goaltender interference and, after a review by on-ice officials, the goal was called back as a result of contact made by American forward J.T. Miller on Merzlikins in the crease just prior to the goal.

While that goal might have stood had it occurred in the NHL, the IIHF has a zero-tolerance policy for contact in the crease. Per rule 69.1 of the IIHF rulebook, goals will be disallowed if:

I) an attacking Player, either by their positioning or by a “relevant contact,” impairs the Goalkeeper’s ability to move freely in their Goal Crease or defend their goal; or
II) an attacking Player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a Goalkeeper, inside or outside their Goal Crease

Furthermore, the rule states that the referee has the power to blow down play if an attacking player enters the opposing crease and does not immediately leave.

Ultimately, the U.S. was no worse for wear despite the two called-back goals, with three straight second-period goals to give them a comfortable 4-1 lead heading into the third period.