AHL: Officials made error in Game 3 of Calder Cup

The American Hockey League said its officials made a mistake in allowing a fluke overtime goal to stand in Game 3 of the Calder Cup final.

The goal gave the Norfolk Admirals a 1-0 win Wednesday night and a 3-0 series lead over the Toronto Marlies.

The Admirals got the win after defenseman Mike Kostka's dump-in hit a stanchion deep in the Marlies zone and bounced into an open net.

Toronto goalie Ben Scrivens was behind the goal to play the incoming puck, but could only watch as the puck took a wild bounce.

The officials didn't notice Norfolk had at least one player offside when the puck was shot in. According to AHL rules, the goal should have been disallowed.

AHL president Dave Andrews says in a statement that despite the error, the result will stand.

Norfolk can clinch the Calder Cup by winning Game 4 on Saturday.

''We have spoken with Toronto Marlies management and confirmed that a rules interpretation error by the on-ice officials occurred on the Norfolk Admirals' overtime goal during Game 3 of the Calder Cup finals,'' Andrews said.

He went on to explain that a correct application of the AHL rulebook would have negated the goal.

''As AHL bylaws do not allow for any change to the final result of a game based on an incorrect rule interpretation, the result of the game stands,'' he said.