Avalanche HC Blasts Call to Eject Nathan MacKinnon vs. Oilers

Tuesday night’s Colorado Avalanche–Edmonton Oilers game was another classic in what has become one of the best matchups in hockey in recent years. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar versus Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl always sets the stage for fireworks, though in this latest edition, one of those superstars had his evening cut short.

As we know, MacKinnon was ejected late in the second period for running into goaltender Connor Ingram. It was a dangerous yet non-malicious collision, where MacKinnon was also nudged by Darnell Nurse, further propelling him into Ingram. The end result was not what anyone wanted to see, though Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar didn’t seem to care, emphatically expressing his displeasure with the call—injury and all.

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Bednar said:

“There’s no chance that he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him. He’s not hitting the goalie. So, to me, I look at it like I check the overhead first—he’s going to go where his toes are pointed, and they’re going through the top of the crease with Ingram in the bottom of the crease until Nurse makes contact with him, and that’s what causes the collision. So, to me, I’m looking at that right away—I don’t care if he’s injured or not, it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash, it’s not a penalty. If you put guys into your own goalie, it’s not a penalty… 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 our guy,”

MacKinnon finished with just 14:17 of total ice time for the game, missing the entirety of the third period. His presence surely could have had an impact on the final outcome in what was a 4–3 regulation loss for Colorado, adding to Bednar’s frustration.

Supplemental discipline is not expected for MacKinnon. Ingram, meanwhile, is said to be ok according to HC Kris Knoblauch, though how long he could be out of the lineup for remains to be seen.

Tristan Jarry stepped in and held down the fort, stopping 11 of 12 shots in relief. Whether Ingram misses time or not, the Oilers will need the $5.375 million goaltender they gave up a lot to acquire to build on this recent strong performance and carry it through the rest of the season.

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