The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars went head-to-head Saturday night at American Airlines Center in Game 6 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. A win would keep the Jets’ season alive, while the Stars were one victory away from punching their ticket to the Western Conference Final to face the Edmonton Oilers.
Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele scored to open the second period, and nearly six minutes later, Dallas’ Sam Steel answered to even the score at one. A goalie battle between Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger kept things tied through the end of regulation—but what happened just seconds before the final horn became a major talking point.
With just over 20 seconds remaining, Steel blocked a Scheifele shot from the point and took off on a breakaway. Near the Jets’ blue line, Scheifele dove to poke the puck free but ended up tripping Steel.
Scheifele was called for tripping, but the referees ruled it wasn’t worthy of a penalty shot and he was sent to the box.
The Stars head to the power play with 14.8 seconds remaining in regulation pic.twitter.com/nPZNemJDda
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 18, 2025
Fans disagreed with the call, believing it should have been a penalty shot. Many took to social media to share their reactions.
“HOW IS THAT NOT A PENALTY SHOT???” a fan said.
“That’s a penalty shot all day….what are you doing ref,” another wrote.
“That’s a penalty shot. Ref didn’t want to be the reason to end a game in that fashion. Everybody knows this,” said a fan.
“100% penalty shot,” another wrote.
“Refs should’ve called a penalty shot,” another added.
“Refs robbed us of what could’ve been an ALL-TIMER moment,” one wrote.
The game ended with the Stars still on the power play that carried over from the end of regulation. Defenseman Thomas Harley buried a shot past Hellebuyck with 13 seconds left on the man advantage to push Dallas past Winnipeg 2-1.
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