Rod Brind'Amour defends decision not to challenge Vegas goal in Game 1
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 3:49 PM
Last updated Jun 4, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour defended his choice not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights' first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, resulting in a 5-4 loss for his team. Brind’Amour stated he lacked confidence that the challenge would succeed, citing unclear evidence of goaltender interference by Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar. The Hurricanes initially led 2-0 but allowed Vegas to pull within one late in the first period. A unsuccessful challenge would have given the Golden Knights a power play opportunity, a risk Brind’Amour chose to avoid. The focus now shifts to Game 2 of the series.
- •Hurricanes led 2-0 before Golden Knights scored to make it 2-1.
- •Brind’Amour expressed no regret over the decision not to challenge.
- •Vegas scored the game-winning goal late in the third period.
- •Jalen Chatfield is making his Stanley Cup Final debut at age 30.
- •The series continues with Game 2 on Thursday.
- 3:49 PMYahoo Sports — Rod Brind’Amour defends Game 1 decision not to challenge for goalie interference
- 9:12 PMYahoo Sports — Stanley Cup: Rod Brind'Amour defends Game 1 decision not to challenge for goalie interference
"Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed no regret over his decision not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights’ first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before his team lost 5-4. Brind’Amour on Wednesday said he never really came close to challenging because he was not confident the on-ice officials and NHL’s situation room would see enough to wave it off for goaltender interference. Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar had a skate in the crease, but replays did not clearly show him impeding goalie Frederik Andersen’s ability to stop the shot by defenseman Shea Theodore, which banked in off the left shin pad of Hurricanes winger Eric Robinson.
"Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed no regret over his decision not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights’ first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before his team lost 5-4.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 4, 2026, 3:49 PMRod Brind’Amour defends Game 1 decision not to challenge for goalie interference
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed no regret over his decision not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights’ first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before his team lost 5-4.
- Yahoo SportsJun 3, 2026, 9:12 PMStanley Cup: Rod Brind'Amour defends Game 1 decision not to challenge for goalie interference
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed no regret over his decision not to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights’ first goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before his team lost 5-4. Brind’Amour on Wednesday said he never really came close to challenging because he was not confident the on-ice officials and NHL’s situation room would see enough to wave it off for goaltender interference. Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar had a skate in the crease, but replays did not clearly show him impeding goalie Frederik Andersen’s ability to stop the shot by defenseman Shea Theodore, which banked in off the left shin pad of Hurricanes winger Eric Robinson.
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