Fans Upset and Left Wondering What Goaltender Interference is After Officials Make Controversial Call

Goaltender interference may just be the biggest mystery in the NHL right now. We've seen goals scored that should have been called off but weren't, while other goals have been cancelled despite evidence they shouldn't have been. We have another example tonight.

In tonight's game between the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Bertuzzi scored what appeared to have been a good goal on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. However, it was called off due to goaltender interference, with officials stating that William Nylander had bumped Hellebuyck, and interfered with his ability to stop the puck. Nylander did indeed bump Hellebuyck, but only after being shoved twice by Winnipeg defenceman Dylan DeMelo.

The Leafs just had this goal waived off for goalie interference.

Right call? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/lTHWZ6d68D— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 28, 2024

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe challenged the call, but the review produced the same results from the officials, meaning Toronto got a two-minute penalty to add insult to injury. TSN analyst Mike Johnson obviously felt it was the wrong call.




Once again, the NHL needs to figure this out and, above all else, be consistent once in a while! I honestly can't believe this was reviewed and still called a goal. Complaints poured in on every social media platform, which shouldn't be a surprise.

The league has since released an official explanation on why the goal was called off. It in no way addresses the fact that DeMelo pushed Nylander.