Huska irked by officials on OT goal: They just skated off the ice

Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska took issue not with a controversial call itself, but with the way the officiating crew handled the communication of it after the St. Louis Blues won following a lengthy review Thursday night.

"It's frustrating, to be quite honest with you, and if you're going to call it that way, that's fine. But the referees can come over and explain it," Huska said following the 4-3 loss. "They just skate themselves right off the ice. That is the part that bothers me a little bit, as to why. Why was it a good goal?

"So, the way I see it, (Flames goaltender Dan Vladar) made a save, and he probably would've kept it out if his pad wasn't pushed in. But that's the way it is."

Blues defenseman Colton Parayko scored the winner on a rebound after appearing to jab Vladar's outstretched leg with his stick. It was ruled a goal on the ice and upheld by the NHL's Situation Room after a lengthy review for goaltender interference.

The NHL deemed no interference took place in accordance with Rule 69.7, which states that incidental contact is permitted in a rebound situation or when a goalie and attacking player are trying to play a loose puck simultaneously, whether it occurs inside or outside the crease.

"At game speed, I guess I just kind of saw the puck loose there and tried to get my stick on it and get the puck in the net," Parayko told Sportsnet's Ryan Leslie postgame. "I honestly don't know at this time if (I) hit him in the pad or whatever, but ... it ended up working out."

Vladar was diplomatic in the immediate aftermath, admitting he hadn't gotten a chance to fully analyze the play.

"I just saw it (on) the Jumbotron, so I've got to take a look at it again and talk to (Flames video coach Jamie Pringle)," the goaltender said. "Whatever he says, I believe it, but obviously I respect the call and it is what it is."

It's the second time in just over a week that the Flames have been on the receiving end of a controversial call in overtime. Calgary was assessed a too many men penalty during the extra frame against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 27. Dylan Larkin scored 29 seconds later to give the Wings the victory.

The Flames fell to 13-9-5 with Thursday's loss. They sit fifth in the Pacific Division by points percentage at .574. The Blues won their second straight game, and they're now 4-0-1 since firing head coach Drew Bannister and replacing him with ex-Boston Bruins bench boss Jim Montgomery.