You no doubt remember the story of the missing Stanley Cup puck from last June, and if you don’t, a lengthy piece by ESPN last week should have reminded you. Seriously, if you haven’t read that story by writer Wayne Drehs, do yourself a favor and go check it out now.
Steve Miller, NHL Linesman Implicated In Missing Stanley Cup Puck Case, Taken Off Playoff Duty
The jist: Patrick Kane scored the overtime winner in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final last year in Philadelphia, and the confusion on the ice after the puck crossed behind goaltender Michael Leighton -- is it in or not?! -- led to the disappearance of the actual puck.
It’s obviously a damn important bit of memorabilia, and since the evidence, circumstantial as it may be, points to linesman Steve Miller as the man who picked it up, you understand why people want to talk to him. His awkward denial in the ESPN story did nothing to help his case, and now, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, he’s been removed from duty in this 2011 NHL postseason.
“We do not know where the (missing) puck is and Steve says he does not know where the puck is,” NHL spokesman Gary Meagher told TSN. “We 100 per cent believe Steve and we fully stand behind him. But in the best interests of the league, and Steve, we felt the best course of action for everyone was to take him off his assignments at this time.”
The league said Miller has not been ruled out from returning to active duty in these playoffs, but it’s not known when or if that will happen.
“Nothing has been ruled out or decided at this point,” Meagher said.
Absolutely fascinating. I’m of the belief that Miller has the puck after looking at the evidence, including his rather strange denial in the ESPN story. It appears the NHL might be of that opinion as well.
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