NHL Referee Van Hellemond Fined for Call in Playoff Game

Referee Andy Van Hellemond was fined for mistakenly disallowing a goal by Quebec’s Joe Sakic in Game 4 of the Nordiques’ playoff series against the New York Rangers.

“Upon reviewing videotapes and interviewing Andy Van Hellemond, it is clear that Van Hellemond erred in judgment when he disallowed an apparent goal,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday.

The statement said Van Hellemond was “reprimanded and disciplined for his error.” A league spokesman would not disclose the amount of the fine. The New York Times reported that the maximum fine for a referee under the union contract is $2,500.

Meagher said Van Hellemond would work more playoff games, although he wasn’t assigned to a game Tuesday.

Sakic had apparently scored a short-handed goal to give Quebec a 3-0 lead in the first period last Friday. But Van Hellemond disallowed the goal, saying he had whistled a stoppage in play after Craig Wolanin’s slash of New York’s Alexei Kovalev left the Ranger forward motionless on the ice. No penalty was called and the Nordiques claimed the whistle came after the goal. The Rangers rallied to beat the Nordiques in overtime.