The matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday ended with a 4-3 Oilers victory, but the result was overshadowed by a controversial moment involving Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.
The incident not only led to MacKinnon’s ejection but also sparked a fiery reaction from Colorado head coach Jared Bednar after the game.
Avalanche Coach Furious After Nathan MacKinnon’s Ejection
The controversy unfolded when MacKinnon drove toward the net while attempting to connect on a pass late in the second period. He missed the puck but continued his momentum toward the crease. And Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse appeared to make contact from behind, sending MacKinnon crashing into Edmonton goaltender Connor Ingram.
Ingram went down on the ice and appeared to suffer a cut on his forehead during the collision. He was forced to leave the game, and backup goaltender Tristan Jarry replaced him.
MacKinnon was assessed a five-minute major penalty for goaltender interference along with a 10-minute game misconduct, resulting in his ejection from the game.
After the game, Bednar strongly disagreed with the call and made it clear he believed the contact was caused by Nurse rather than MacKinnon.
“First thing I looked at the overhead. He makes the play on the puck, and I got his toes cutting up ice probably through the top of the paint and Ingram’s on the goal line,” Bednar said. I don’t think there’s a chance, no chance, that he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him. He’s not hitting the goalie.”
Bednar explained that MacKinnon’s skating path suggested he was trying to avoid the goaltender before the contact from behind forced the collision. “If you put guys in your own goalie, it’s not a penalty. That’s the way I see it,” Bednar added.
When asked whether officials provided an explanation for the decision, Bednar revealed the reasoning he was given, and didn’t hide his frustration. “The goalie’s hurt, so it’s five. Again, I really don’t give a crap if the goalie’s hurt. That’s on their D-man, not on our guy.”
Newly acquired Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri also questioned the ruling, saying MacKinnon appeared to make an effort to avoid the collision. “I think Nate makes an effort. He’s diving across the top of the crease to try to get out of the way. That’s part of the rule, for the player to at least make some sort of attempt. There was clear contact, and I have no idea how that was a 5 minute,” Kadri said.
Despite the extended power play, Edmonton failed to score during the major penalty. However, the Oilers ultimately held on for a 4-3 win.
There’s still no official update on Ingram’s condition. However, after the heavy collision and apparent head contact, he may need to go through the NHL’s concussion protocol.
