In the world of professional hockey, the fast pace action gives the fans thrill. In this high paced environment, there are instances where the officials make a wrong call. Former NHLers Kelly Hrudey and Kevin Bieksa have now blasted the officiating in recent games.
During the recent matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets, controversy took center stage which left everyone confused. The officials initially allowed the goal to stand but later pulled it back and stood with their decision upon review.
The incident referred here is in contention with an interference during the goal scored by Tyler Bertuzzi . As the Leafs players and fans celebrated the goal, the goal was called back as officials deemed there was interference from William Nylander on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck .
It’s the wrong call in my opinion. I thought that DeMelo clearly pushed Nylander into Hellebuyck and so I think this is a goal that should count. I’m kind of surprised in fact. Kelly Hrudey on Tyler Bertuzzi’s goal being pulled back as per HockeyFeed.
If the goal would have stood, the Leafs would finished off the first period on a positive note and take a 1-2 lead. However, things did not go they way they hoped for and received a major shock when the officials denied them the goal which has now become a talking point in the hockey community.
Kevin Bieksa confused with NHL officials’ decision regarding goal pull back
The incident that took place during the Jets-Leafs game has left everyone connected to hockey stunned and surprised. Kevin Bieksa, the former Maple Leafs star seemed to be just as confused as his colleagues in the studio.
While Kelly Hrudey claimed that the officials made a mistake, Bieksa backed him and said he was confident that the decision would be over turned upon review.
Clearly he was pushed after and that’s where the contact originated… I’m confused about this as well Kel. I was confident there for Toronto. I thought it would be reversed Kevin Bieksa on Tyler Bertuzzi’s goal being called back.
Fortunately for the Maple Leafs, they were able to forget about this moment soon and came out strong in the later stages. Three goals in the third period Simon Benoit , John Tavares and star man Auston Matthews saw them claim a 2-4 victory against their Canadian rivals.
The Toronto-based outfit now head into the All-Star break with a 25-14-8 record, sitting in fourth in the Atlantic Division table. They will resume their quest for a Stanley Cup playoff run against the New York Islanders.
As for the Winnipeg Jets, they have now lost three games on the bounce with two back-to-back defeats against the Maple Leafs. They will now lock horns with the Pittsburgh Penguins after the All-Star break and hope to get back in their best form which has seen them push for a playoff berth.