Tom Kowal (born November 2, 1967 in Vernon, British Columbia), is a National Hockey League referee since the 1999–2000 NHL season, who wears uniform number 32.[1] He is noted for his inconsistency in two games regarding the verification of scored goals. A game between the Buffalo Sabers and the Calgary Flames on January 21, 2006 saw Robyn Regehr score a power play goal in the second period by kicking the puck into the net which according to NHL Rule 49[2], is illegal. Kowal declined to review the goal and deemed it legal which allowed the Flames to take a 2-1 lead and subsequently win the game 4-1. Another incident involved a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals on March 6, 2011. An apparent Vincent Lecavalier goal in the 3rd period was disallowed for the Lightning after Kowal ruled that Martin St. Louis interfered with Washington goalie Braden Holtby by diving into him. This negated a 2-0 lead for the Lightning. Replays clearly displayed that St. Louis was tripped into the net by a Washington defender, a situation that does not negate a scored goal according to NHL Rule 69[3]. The Capitals were able to score the tying goal and win the game in the shootout round.