Warren Foegele received a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit in the Stanley Cup Final. Despite not facing any supplemental discipline, he may return to the lineup for Game 3 as the Edmonton Oilers aim to bounce back from being down 2-0 in the series.
Following the hit, there was backlash from fans, including some Oiler supporters who deemed it a careless penalty during a crucial game. However, a new camera angle from a fan’s perspective seemed to suggest that Foegele may not have intentionally committed a knee-on-knee hit.
Oilers’ head coach, Kris Knoblauch, criticized the call, drawing comparisons to another play involving Sam Bennett. Knoblauch highlighted the difference in reaction between Evan Bouchard and Eetu Luostarinen following the incidents.
Knoblauch implied that the players’ responses influenced the referee’s decision, emphasizing how Bouchard quickly rose after the hit, unlike Luostarinen.
The Foegele Hit From Another Angle
Upon closer examination of the video footage, it appears that Foegele was attempting to play the puck while the collision occurred. The contact seemed more focused on the thighs rather than the knees, indicating that it might not have been an intentional hit.
The debate whether Foegele extended his knee prior to the hit subsided after slow-motion replays revealed his intent to play the puck with his skate. The absence of direct knee-on-knee contact in the reverse angle further supported this conclusion.
Based on the evidence, the league did not pursue additional disciplinary action against Foegele, allowing Luostarinen to quickly return to the game.
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