Mason stars in win - Nashville, Tennessee - Wednesday, 12/27/06 - Tennessean.com
Chris Mason stood tall for the Predators on Tuesday night, blocking all four of the Blues shootout attempts on the way to Nashville's 3-2 win.
Two of those stops came with his right leg pad as he fell into the splits to cover the bottom of the net. And one of those – a shot by Martin Rucinsky on the Blues' second attempt – came under review.
As Mason dropped to the ice, the puck bounced off his leg pad and changed momentum, beginning to travel away from the goal. The top of Mason's stick then came down and hit the puck, sending it back toward the goal line. Although Mason's leg was still blocking the area, the puck snuck partway over the line.
Officials stopped for several minutes to review the play, which they eventually ruled was not a goal.
Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he did not know why the review took so long.
"The rule is pretty clear … as soon as the puck comes to a stop it's a dead puck," Trotz said. "So no matter if the goalie knocks it in or if it goes off the guys shin pad as soon as it changes direction and stops movement it's no goal."
Mason is 3-1 in shootouts this season, including two wins against the Blues. He has made 10 saves in 14 attempts.
"For the most part I really try not to make a move before they do," Mason said of his shootout defense. "It's a little bit of patience and a little bit of luck."