Most controversial call of the season as Nathan MacKinnon gets ejected after Oilers goalie collision

A wild and controversial moment unfolded Tuesday night in Colorado involving Nathan MacKinnon and goalie Connor Ingram, leaving players, coaches, and fans debating one of the most disputed calls of the season.

During the second period of the game between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers, MacKinnon crashed hard into Ingram in front of the net in what quickly turned into a chaotic sequence.

Officials did take time to review the collision, but assessed MacKinnon a five-minute major for goalie interference along with a game misconduct, immediately ejecting the Avalanche superstar from the game. Ingram was forced to leave the ice following the collision due to injury, and was replaced by Tristan Jarry.

The decision surprised many watching the play unfold.

On the sequence, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse appeared to inadvertently shove MacKinnon toward his own netminder, limiting the Avalanche star’s ability to avoid contact. Because of that, some expected the officials might downgrade the call to a minor penalty after review.

Instead, the major penalty stood.

While the collision looked brutal, many observers felt there was no clear malicious intent behind the play.

The controversy didn’t stop on the ice. After the game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was asked whether the officials provided a clear explanation for the major penalty. His response was blunt.

“No. Well, not a good one. The goalie is hurt, so it’s five? Again, I don’t really give a crap if their goalie is hurt. That’s on their D-man, not our guy.”

The play is already sparking heated debate online, with fans questioning whether the officials made the right call or whether the situation spiralled because of the shove from Nurse.

Either way, it was one of the most dramatic and controversial moments of the night, and the Avalanche went on to lose 4-3 to the visiting Oilers.