Vegas
10-07-2005, 10:16 AM
The rookie coach was responsible for a mixup in Phoenix's lineup at the start of the game. Right winger Fredrik Sjostrom (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2847) was on the ice despite being listed as a scratch. Los Angeles coach Andy Murray knew it and even double-checked the rule book but had planned on keeping quiet unless Phoenix scored with Sjostrom on the ice, which would have nullified the goal. But the Kings' stat crew noticed Sjostrom and alerted referees, who ruled Sjostrom ineligible for the rest of the game. Phoenix center Petr Nedved (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=394) was the actual scratch, but he was listed as being available. A subdued Gretzky called it an oversight that was "just inexcusable." "It's my responsibility," he said. "It just was utter nonsense that it happened and I feel bad for Freddie and I feel bad for the team. It happened and it won't happen again." Murray downplayed Gretzky's rookie mistake, saying, "It happens all the time. I'm sure it's happened to me before." Murray said he would have rather had a goal nullified than have the Coyotes lose a player. "We didn't want to call it until we needed it," he said. "But unfortunately, the guys upstairs were doing their job and they realized they had the wrong guy." As coach, Gretzky signs the lineup sheet before the game. Murray empathized with Gretzky, saying he has an assistant fill out the lineup and double-check it before he signs. "I mean, you're so used to writing the same names down," Murray said. "I'm afraid I might make that mistake."