THE STORY
In Game 7 of the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals between the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks, referee Dan O'Halloran assessed a five-minute major penalty to Vegas forward Cody Eakin for cross-checking Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, who sustained a serious head injury. The Sharks capitalized on the ensuing power play, scoring four goals and ultimately winning the game 5-4 in overtime, advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Vegas Golden Knights; San Jose Sharks; Cody Eakin; Joe Pavelski
WHY IT MATTERS
The controversial penalty led to significant debate over the use of video review in officiating decisions and prompted discussions about potential rule changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.