Avalanche Furious: MacKinnon Ejected for Contact with Goalie, Fair?

Avalanche Discuss Referee Decision in Loss to Oilers

The Colorado Avalanche team expressed their disagreement with the referees’ decision to penalize their star, Nathan MacKinnon, with a penalty for goaltender interference during the 4-3 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The controversy arose 37 seconds from the end of the second period, when MacKinnon was heading towards the goal with an assist from Brock Nelson. In an attempt to deflect the puck, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse collided with MacKinnon, who in turn impacted goalie Connor Ingram, forcing him to leave the game with a head wound. The referees determined a major penalty for MacKinnon, which led to his automatic ejection. Tristan Jarry replaced Ingram in the Oilers’ goal, stopping 11 of 12 shots.

“There’s no chance he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t go at him,” said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar.

Jared Bednar

Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch mentioned that Ingram was unable to return to the game due to the NHL’s concussion protocol, but assured that the goalie was doing well after the match. The Avalanche, despite defending MacKinnon’s penalty, ended up losing the game after a goal by Connor McDavid in the third period. Knoblauch described the penalty on MacKinnon as “difficult” for the referees. Bednar expressed his dissatisfaction with the referees’ explanation of the penalty on MacKinnon.

“The goalie is injured, so it’s five minutes? I don’t really care if their goalie is injured. That’s their defense’s fault, not our player’s,” Bednar stated.

Jared Bednar

MacKinnon’s teammates were also surprised by the referee’s decision.

“Nate has one of the best spatial perceptions in the league. He’s not going to mess with the goalie like that,” commented Cale Makar, Colorado defenseman.

Cale Makar

Nazem Kadri, center for the Avs, considered that MacKinnon tried to avoid Ingram. Bednar and Kadri criticized the refereeing in general, especially in the third period. Bednar concluded by saying: “I’m not going to focus on the officiating, but it’s part of the game. We’re at a disadvantage and we’re getting hit. Nelson dances with a guy in the neutral zone and stumbles… that’s what penalties are for.”