Bad Officiating – Not Just for the NHL!

I got to watch Team USA take on Finland at the World Championships in Halifax, NS, but I kind of wish I didn’t.  Team USA was holding on to a 2-0 lead on the back of Robert Esche, despite getting outshot by the Finns.  Ville Koistinen shot the puck at the net on a feed from Montreal’s Saku Koivu, and the red light went on.  However, it was plain to see that the puck went in under the side of the net.  I saw it right away, and the goal went to video review.  THEY UPHELD IT.  Despite multiple camera angles showing that it should not have been.  Everyone knows it:

The IIHF formally acknowledged after the game that Koistinen’s shot had, indeed, entered the side of the net and should not have counted, and the video-goal judge will not be working for the rest of the tournament.

Coach Tortorella was livid, but admitted they didn’t deserve to win, giving up so many chances.  It was a very rough game as well, ending with a line brawl, with multiple game misconducts.  Fun to watch, but the outcome sucks.  Team USA ended up losing 3-2.

edit:  Fanhouse reaction, Bfloblog reaction