Trotz says goal should have been waived off on interference
Ilya Sorokin #30 and Semyon Varlamov #40 of the Islanders celebrate after defeating the Anaheim Ducks at UBS Arena on Sunday, Mar. 13, 2022. Credit: Jim McIsaac
DALLAS — Barry Trotz heard the explanation of why Marian Studenic’s first-period goal would stand despite his coach’s challenge of goalie interference and was still surprised he didn’t get the call after the Islanders lost to the Stars, 3-2, on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.
Jamie Benn made what was ruled incidental contact with Semyon Varlamov, who then struggled to move to his right to stop Studenic’s shot on the rebound.
“I was really surprised at that,” Trotz said. “It was explained that Benn wasn’t in the blue, wasn’t trying to lean in and interfere and Varly was a little bit outside the blue. It doesn’t matter to me if he’s in the blue or a little bit above the blue, if there’s contact and he can’t make the next save, then it shouldn’t be a penalty, it should be just coincidental contact, no goal.
“I’d make that call 100 times out of 100 times. I thought we were going to win it. I disagree with that.”
Sorokin available
Goalie Ilya Sorokin backed up Semyon Varlamov after missing four games with a head injury. He’ll likely get one start before the Islanders conclude this five-game road trip.
Cory Schneider, who made 27 saves in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Devils in his first NHL appearance since March 6, 2020, was returned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport from emergency recall.
“[Sorokin] has missed a little bit of time, so we’re getting him up to speed,” Trotz said. “If he’s not 100%, we won’t put him in. But he’s been cleared.”
Isles files
Josh Bailey’s secondary assist on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s first-period goal gave him 545 career points, moving him past John Tonelli into eighth place on the Islanders’ all-time list …Defenseman Noah Dobson had two assists to reach 40 points for the first time in his career.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
