Sam Bennett's Opening Goal Shouldn't Have Counted for Shocking Reason, per NHL Rulebook

Panthers' Sam Bennett scored his team's first goal of the game in controversial fashion, and an NHL referee analyst believes the goal shouldn't have counted.

Sam Bennett was right in the middle of it once more in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Florida Panthers ' instigator scored the first goal in Game 2 and made headlines in the process.

On the game's first goal, Bennett chopped Mattias Ekholm's stick from his hand and kicked it clearly.

Ekholm and the bench for the Oilers complained for a penalty as play continued on.

Bennett took advantage of the moment of chaos, breaking into space and finishing with a shot behind Stuart Skinner .

Replays upheld what most felt at the time: the play was whistled dead and should not have been continued.

The play should have been called a penalty, putting the game at 4-on-4 The 'Scouting the Refs' states the NHL rulebook clearly: Bennett's play should have been penalized, as you cannot kick a player's stick on the ice.

But the officials did not see it, and since it was not a reviewable play, nothing could be done for Edmonton.

- NHL Rulebook The blown call basically gave Florida a fleeting 5-on-3, which they executed to perfection.

It was a pivot point in a game between two teams that were evenly matched.

When the margins are so tight, a moment like this can be the difference-maker.

However, the Oilers won't gain anything by complaining about it.

What's done is done.

They now face a team that has a harder road, having missed out on grabbing a 2-0 series lead.

The series is now tied at one apiece, and action switches to Amerant Bank Arena in Florida.

The Oilers will need to win away from home, starting with Game 3 on Monday, June 9, at 8 PM ET.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission..

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