Leafs Morgan Reilly almost scored a game-tying goal in Game 5 loss against Panthers. Here's why it was disallowed

Maple Leafs Morgan Reilly thought he scored a game-tying goal in Game 5 loss against Panthers. Here's why it was disallowed

Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly thought he scored the game-tying goal late in the second period of Friday's Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers but a video review resulted in a no-goal decision.

Fans at Scotiabank Arena watched a video replay of the puck crossing the line and were irate that Florida retained its 2-1 lead.

Some spectators threw debris on the ice after the decision was announced. Between the review and the ensuing cleanup, play was delayed for about 10 minutes.

The NHL's Situation Room issued an explanation of the decision a short time later.

“The referee deemed the play dead prior to the puck crossing the Florida line. The call was made in accordance to Rule 78.5 (xii), which states apparent goals shall be disallowed ”when the referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle.“

Rielly, who scored Toronto's first goal earlier in the period, drove toward the net and appeared to slide the puck under goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky's right pad with 2:49 left in the period.

The blueliner started celebrating and skated toward the bench to touch gloves with his teammates.