Tuukka Rask loses skate blade and temper on controversial play
Boston Bruins’ goaltender Tuukka Rask has a history of losing his temper.
In Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon, it was likely justified.
Rask lost his skate blade during a sequence in the second period at Amalie Arena. He was unable to move in the crease and got scored on by Lightning blueliner Mikhail Sergachev.
Rask was clearly upset afterwards, throwing his loose skate blade out of frustration.
Did the refs inexcusably blow that call by not noticing Tuukka Rask's broken skate blade? Absolutely. Does your goalie need to keep trying to play until he gets a whistle? Absolutely. He probably should have just lifted the net off its moorings at that point
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 28, 2018
While having your skate blade fall off seems like a reason to blow the whistle, that’s not quite how it works under the NHL rules.
According to NHL rule 14.1, “Play shall not be stopped nor the game delayed by reasons of adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates or sticks. The onus of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player shall leave the ice and play shall continue with a substitute.”
Goaltenders are not exempt:
“No delay shall be permitted for the repair or adjustment of goalkeeper’s equipment. If adjustments are required, the goalkeeper shall leave the ice and his place shall be taken by the substitute goalkeeper immediately.”
Rask currently has the lowest save percentage (.899) of the eight starting goaltenders remaining in the playoffs.