Officials ejected Nathan MacKinnon from the Colorado Avalanche’s game Tuesday night late in the second period.
MacKinnon skated hard to the net and tried to redirect a pass from Brock Nelson near the right post. He didn’t and then crashed into Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram.
The Oilers’ goalie left the game with an injury. Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse made contact with MacKinnon just before he collided with the goalie.
“I don’t care if he’s injured, not injured, (or) it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash. It’s not a penalty,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “If you put guys into your own goalie, it’s not a penalty. That’s the way I see it.”
The officials called it a major penalty for goalie interference, then confirmed the call after a lengthy review. MacKinnon was then assessed a game misconduct as well.
“I don’t think he tried to take the goalie out,” Avs goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood said. “His route was good. He was mid-to-high crease and he was kind of leaned on. I don’t think it was a five. Maybe a two, but I don’t know.”
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