The NHL finds itself in the hot seat, trying to justify a contentious goal call from the recent matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the first period at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, the Maple Leafs saw a goal denied as officials ruled that Leafs forward William Nylander interfered with Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. A replay of the incident stirred debate:
Disagreeing with the call, the Leafs' head coach Sheldon Keefe challenged it. Despite the challenge, the league upheld the on-ice officials' decision, sparking significant backlash on social media.
Criticism wasn't confined to fans; former NHL players like Kelly Hrudey and Kevin Bieksa also expressed confusion over the NHL's video review team's ruling.
The NHL attempted to shed light on the situation, but their explanation leaves much to be desired. According to the league, Video review supported the Referee's call on the ice that Toronto's William Nylander impaired Connor Hellebuyck's ability to play his position in the crease.
The league's use of Rule 69.1, specifying that goals should be disallowed if an attacking player hinders the goalie's movement within the crease, was cited.
Rule 69.1 which states, in part, that «Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal."
It appears the NHL is eager to move past this controversy swiftly.
