Montgomery Struggled With Challenge Against Sidney Crosby

Published April 1, 2023 at 8:33 PM
BY DORIN CANADAY

The Boston and Pittsburgh game on Saturday had everything, including Jim Montgomery's first failed challenge of the season.


However, the Bruins head coach shared postgame that he was very hesitant to use his lone Coaches' Challenge because of one major factor.

Do the ‘Sid Rules' Exist?




Sidney Crosby has been one of the best players in the NHL for the past 15-plus seasons. Due to his star power, like Michael Jordan of the NBA, Montgomery feels the Penguins' captain gets call his way more often than not.

Matt Porter of The Boston Globe asked how sure they were about the challenge, and the Bruins bench boss had quite the elaborate answer:

''We thought it was goalie interference because Swayman was hit in the head. Now, you know how there used to be the Jordan Rules (in the NBA)? I've been here (in Pittsburgh) now five times, and something I'm almost sure that's going to happen - didn't happen tonight: They're going to get a 2 on 1 in the first minute, because we're going to make a mistake; they're going to get a 5 on 3, and you're going to be killing a lot of penalties. This is the third time I've been here where we challenge - you get it wrong sometimes. I call it the Sid Rules. He's a great player. He's a great player. And you know what, the league should take care of their superstars. That's why I was kind of hesitant about challenging it.''

Even though the challenge failed, Boston was able to kill off the subsequent penalty and David Pastrnak would go on to score his hat-trick goal and eventual game-winner moments later.

Check out the full quote below:

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April 1   |   272 answers
Montgomery Struggled With Challenge Against Sidney Crosby

Should it have been called goalie interference on Crosby?

Yes24690.4 %
No269.6 %
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