Leafs Mike Babcock Successful In First Coach S Challenge In Nhl History

In a new wrinkle for this season, coaches are able to challenge goals involving goalie interference or offside plays. Babcock used the challenge when it appeared Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry scored 6:36 into the second period. He argued that Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec interfered with Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier.PHOTOS: NHL season openers: Champs celebrate, rivals meet | Vladimir Putin nets 7 goals in birthday game with NHL legends

The goal was overturned and — voila — NHL history was made. 

Winning the challenge gave Babcock another one that could use another if needed. The new rule states a coach must have his timeout left in order to challenge a goal.

Also added to the NHL rule book this season is three-on-three overtime, but the game didn’t make it quite that far. The Maple Leafs lost 3-1, meaning the first true win of Toronto’s Babcock era will wait a little longer.

But winning the NHL’s first challenge counts for something, right?