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VIDEO: Predators goal disallowed due to quick whistle

Candice Ward / Reuters

The Nashville Predators thought they opened the scoring early in the first period of Wednesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers when Craig Smith poked the puck past Ben Scrivens during a goalmouth scramble, but they fell victim to one of the NHL's more discretionary rules.

The goal was immediately waved off by referee Ian Walsh, who intended to stop play the moment Scrivens covered the puck with his glove. Walsh did not blow his whistle until he was behind the net, after the puck already crossed the line.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

The call on the ice was upheld on video review in accordance with Rule 78.5, which states that a referee can disallow a goal by deeming the play has stopped, "even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle."

The Predators fired 11 shots in the first period but were unable to put any other pucks past Scrivens. Smith would eventually score the game's first goal 6:23 into the second period.

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