Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Ref! In last weeks game between the Canadiens and the Avalanche, Alex Galchenyuk came out of the penalty box and scored a highlight reel goal after poke-checking an Avs player to steal the puck. However, the Avalanche argued that he had one leg in the penalty box when he made that poke check. In the replay, though tough to make out, it seems Galchenyuk had one leg in the air but technically in the penalty box. Should he have been given a penalty on the play? Thanks! Rajiv Mississauga, ON On Saturday night in the Avs-Canadiens game, Alex Galchenyuk scored a nifty goal straight out of the penalty box. On slow motion replay, it showed that he stole the puck as it passed by him while he still had one foot INSIDE the penalty box. While this is a real testament to his skills, I have to wonder if this is actually a legal play, as the player was technically not on the ice? Thanks, Rene Roy Rajiv and Rene: Alex Galchenyuk had only touched the ice with one skate after exiting the penalty box and therefore was not deemed legally on the ice when he stole the puck off the stick of Nathan MacKinnon. By the letter of the law Alex Galchenyuk should have received an additional minor penalty for interference (56.2) and no goal would have resulted in what turned out to be a 3-2 Montreal victory in regulation time. Two rules reference this play in determining when a player is deemed to be legally on the ice from either the players bench or penalty box. First, 56.2 states that a minor penalty shall be imposed on any identifiable player on the players bench or penalty bench who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with the movements of the puck or any opponent on the ice during the progress of the play. In addition, should a player about to come onto the ice, play the puck while one or both skates are still on the players or penalty bench, a minor penalty for interference shall be assessed. Rule 74.3 more clearly defines when a player is deemed to be legally on the ice: A player coming onto the ice as a substitute is considered on the ice once both of his skates are on the ice. If he plays the puck or interferes with an opponent while still on the players bench, he shall be penalized under rule 56 - Interference. The burn-in of the penalty clock shows that Galchenyuk exited the box a good two steamboats after his penalty had expired (00:00) due to his own slow departure. While he was entitled to be on the ice, the replay demonstrates that Alex had only planted his left on the ice while his back skate remained in/on the threshold of the penalty box door when he played the puck and interfered with MacKinnon. Even the most diehard Habs fan would have to agree that Alex had not yet contacted the ice with both of his skates when he stripped the puck from MacKinnon in violation of the above referenced rules. This can be a difficult infraction to catch but it is imperative that the officials count down the remaining penalty time as the clock ticks and then be aware if the puck is in the vicinity of the penalty box area. It is not just sufficient that the player is entitled to be on the ice but most importantly that he is deemed to be legally on the ice. Most players dont realize that they must have had both skates in contact with the ice prior to playing the puck from the players bench or penalty bench. I assessed penalties in more than two such situations when a player played the puck illegally from the penalty box. Alex Galchenyuk and the Montreal Canadiens caught a break on this play. 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