Stars coach Marc Crawford and several players felt the officials should not have called Nicklas Grossman for delay of game in overtime. Grossman flipped the puck into the seats and was sent to the penalty box. The Flames scored moments later to get the 3-2 win.

The replay shows the puck was not in the defensive zone when Grossman flipped it out. His skates appear to be just touching the blue line. So what does all of that mean?

It's a little unclear if you look at the rule book. Rule 63 doesn't say whether the puck or any part of the player has to be in the zone for a whistle to blow. In fact, the first part of the rule says that a minor penalty can be imposed for any player who deliberately shoots or bats the puck outside the playing area "from anywhere on the ice surface."

Did Grossman deliberately do it? It's difficult to make that assessment, especially in overtime. Here's the second part of the rule:

"When any player, while in his defending zone, shoots or bats (using his hand or his stick) the puck directly (non-deflected) out of the playing surface ... a penalty shall be assesssed for delaying the game."

The rule does not state whether "in his defending zone" means his skates or the puck.

"I thought I was on the right side," Grossman said. "I felt like I was in the neutral zone. I shouldn't have shot it out anyway. And I should have played it better on the tying goal. I just have to learn from it."

Crawford said he it was frustrating because "it didn't look like it was a penalty."

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