[Article] Mason Raymond’s shootout winner revives old spin-o-rama debate

[Alex the Great]

Another day, another shootout controversy, although you'll be pleased to know this one isn't about whether the player had the galling nerve to try something slightly different: no, it's not that old saw.

It's an even older debate: the spin-o-rama and the suspect motions therein.

Mason Raymond has had the move in his bag of tricks for years, using it to success several times for the Vancouver Canucks. On Tuesday night, he helped the club break their four-game losing skid by beating Sergei Bobrovsky handily with it, and I do mean handily:

But some didn't like it, and count Todd Richards among the some. Heck, he was leading the some.

The Blue Jackets' head coach wanted the goal reviewed in Toronto immediately. "I was trying to get [the officials'] attention, but nobody was moving," he said to Aaron Portzline after the game.

"To me, it looks a little questionable, because it looks like he does take a step backward."

"To me it looks like the puck is moving backward. [but] that’s not the only [shootout] goal that's been scored like that."

It certainly isn't the only goal that's been scored like that. The spin-o-rama is a fairly standard these days, which is why it's so strange that Richards and the other aggrieved parties seem so foggy on its legality.

Hasn't this debate been settled by now? Section 24.2 of the NHL Rulebook makes explicit how the move passes muster: "The spin-o-rama type move where the player completes a 360° turn as he approaches the goal shall be permitted as this involves continuous motion."

That was written in specifically to satisfy the "It stopped!" and "It went backwards!" crowds that are calling this move a cheat now. It's not a matter of whether or not Raymond takes a step backwards, or even whether the puck does, since it obviously has to in order for this move to be kosher. The only question is whether there's continuous motion on this play. It just can't stop.

To my eyes, it never does. It looks, to me, like any other spin-o-rama, apart from how spectacularly Bobrovsky bites on it, and maybe the extra step Raymond takes in the other direction, which allows him to roof the puck with some authority. But even that seems passable since the puck is fully visible and always moving. What's the debate here?

[apollo]

Hmmm I thought it was a little strange since he stopped moving forward himself and even moved back a little if u ask me. But its the movement of the puck that matters... I can see the rule being changed.

[Spitfire_Spiky]

There will always be someone complaining when their goalie gets embarrassed like Bobrovsky did.

[Niklas Jensen]

shootout is a skills competition anyway. I have no problem with Daugavin's move, and have absolutely no problems with Raymond's move. Have you ever heard someone speaking out against Datsyuk embarassing goalies with his moves? Seriously, come on. Goalies, if you don't want to be embarassed, make the frackin save and that's it.

Anyway, shootout are for girls and Gary Bettman. Real fans like me want to see continuous overtime - yeah, you got that right - playoff hockey.

[ChenWei91]

Just take the Shootout out of the game. There's absolutely no point to decide a game in a gimmick.

[goalie13]

Or... make it even more gimmicky. Have an opposing player chasing down the shooter (like they do in minor hockey and beer league). Nobody will try moves like that under those conditions.

[BabychStache]

5 mins 4 on 4, 5 mins 3 on 3, then 5 mins no goalie. Lol

[Denguin]

5 mins 4 on 4, 5 mins 3 on 3, then 5 mins no goalie. Lol

[xereau]

They should just put up the piece of plywood with a puck sized hole in the bottom. 1st team to put a puck through the hole wins. Its about as relevant as the shootout.

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

Mason Raymond EASILY has the ugliest spinorama shot in the league. He goes backwards every single time, and it's not a smooth motion at all.

I still think it should be good.

[Captain Aerosex]

I don't think it should have counted.

I always get confused about whether it's forward momentum, or continuous puck motion, or continuous body motion...but if it's continuous puck momentum, then does that mean you can just skate in circles so long as the puck's moving and you're above the goal line? The rules need some verification.

To me, Raymond's goal was more like a stop and then turning around rather then a fluid spinorama. He clearly steps backwards. I dunno, I'm not sure what the rules are, they seem vague. To me, that's not kosher.

[John.Tallhouse]

Loved it!!

[MoneypuckOverlord]

I think it's fine. They do this type of b.s in Basket ball were they do a spin o rama slam dunk. IF they are crying about it, take out the shoot outs. I was never a fan of it anyways.

[Virt 'n Kass]

The shootout's just a showoff contest anyway. I think the players should be given 10 seconds from when they touch the puck to take a shot, and they can do whatever they want in those 10 seconds. If they wanna pull a Perry and use a mini-stick, fine by me.

[TimberWolf]

When is something considered ruining the game and discussed thoroughly by all the pundits?

When Vancouver does it. Seriously, seen the spinorama without drama many times and now it's a hot topic again?

[cIutch]

Embrace it

i want all our players to do it next shootout , the shootouts are a freaking joke and a coin toss and shouldnt be looked at them more then that

the fact we got 2 points because of that is freaking hilarious and also extremely pathetic

[cIutch]

shootout is a skills competition anyway. I have no problem with Daugavin's move, and have absolutely no problems with Raymond's move. Have you ever heard someone speaking out against Datsyuk embarassing goalies with his moves? Seriously, come on. Goalies, if you don't want to be embarassed, make the frackin save and that's it.

Anyway, shootout are for girls and Gary Bettman. Real fans like me want to see continuous overtime - yeah, you got that right - playoff hockey.

[37yrsncounting]

[Quoted]

Raymond's goal was legal under current rules. Not much more to say on that.

I personally don't like the spin-o-rama and feel that the player should have continuous motion towards the net. Shoot-outs are bad enough but this partucular move is another step away from a legitimate hockey play.

[VanIsleNuckFan]

Ohhh no, the NHL can't have Vancouver winning a game...there must be controversy!!!