Coyotes’ Louis Domingue upset at refs for controversial Capitals goal

Going toe-to-toe with the best team in the NHL, the Arizona Coyotes found themselves frustrated in falling short.

The 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals started off a five-game road trip on a sour note, and the way it went down only added to the feeling. Washington’s third goal, by Mike Richards, not only ended up the game-winner but came with controversy.

Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue thought he’d completely covered the puck seconds prior to the goal. With Brad Richardson’s stick in the fray, the puck came loose before Richards sent it home as Arizona appeared to stop playing — as if the Coyotes players expected a whistle.

After the game, Domingue wasn’t happy about the non-whistle, telling reporters that if the play had involved Caps goalie Braden Holtby, he believed the play would have ended.

Domingue, part one pic.twitter.com/k0weg6Ub4v

— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) February 23, 2016

Domingue even went as far as saying the “pressure was maybe too much for” the referee, who had told Domingue he didn’t think the goalie knew where the puck was.

Domingue, part 2 of 2 pic.twitter.com/ReNE5KzpN9

— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) February 23, 2016

All that said, Arizona coach Dave Tippett wasn’t buying into the controversial third goal being an excuse. He said his Coyotes have to play until the whistle blows and even commented to reporters that Domingue could have made another save.

Dave Tippett on the disputed goal: "You can hope the referee blows the whistle but you've got to play it right 'til you hear the whistle."

— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) February 23, 2016

Tippett also asked a general ? about Domingue's play, and wasn't happy with the Ovechkin goal: "We could have used another save from him."

— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) February 23, 2016

Perhaps Tippett was mentioning the second Washington goal, a score by Alex Ovechkin that went through traffic and right through Domingue, who didn’t lower his pads quickly enough to stop the score.

Here is video of Domingue’s meeting with reporters after the game.

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