The Colorado Avalanche’s three-game winning streak ended Tuesday with an overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. Colorado had been rolling with five victories in six games before the setback.
Utah broke through Colorado’s defense when Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to secure the victory. At the same time, the Avalanche remained atop the Central Division standings, and a controversial disallowed goal left head coach Jared Bednar frustrated with the officials.
Why Did The Avalanche Coach Criticize Officials Over The Disallowed Goal?
The Avalanche entered Thursday’s contest as heavy favorites, dropping just one game through their first seven contests. Cale Makar’s first-period goal gave Colorado an early advantage. The franchise appeared to double the lead when Gabriel Landeskog scored seconds into the second period.
However, Utah immediately challenged for offside. Officials ruled that Valeri Nichushkin’s stick-on-stick contact with Dylan Guenther caused the puck to return to Colorado’s zone, negating the play. The decision wiped out Landeskog’s first goal in three years.
Head coach Jared Bednar didn’t quietly accept the ruling. He joined hosts Marc Moser, Vic Lombardi, and Brett Kane on the latest episode of their show to give his take. Bednar didn’t hold back when asked about the explanation of the disallowed goal.
“It was complete nonsense. That’s what it was and I think they got it wrong. I don’t like I’m just gonna be honest,” Bednar said. He argued that offside reviews require conclusive evidence to overturn on-ice calls.
“If they think Val touched it. If they think that the rule is supposed to be, you have to have conclusive evidence,” Bednar added. He continued, “It’s a goal on the ice right like they let the play go. It’s a goal on the ice. It has to be overwhelming evidence to overturn it.”
“It’s why with a goalie challenge with an offside, it’s got to be overwhelming and you can’t tell me that there’s overwhelming evidence I’ve looked at,” he said. Bednar explained that he reviewed every camera angle of the sequence and couldn’t identify clear offside contact.
However, he acknowledged the decision stands regardless of his opinion. The hosts agreed with Bednar’s assessment and shared his frustration. The coach noted that even with multiple replay officials reviewing the play, the evidence remained inconclusive.
“You got ten guys sitting in an office looking at every angle, slow motion over every angle they possibly give you zoomed in, zoomed out. Val never touches any part of Guenther or the puck, so the play’s good,” he said.
He concluded, “You know on this play if we don’t make contact with Guenther like those guys could have been standing in the crease and it’s on side.” Despite his disappointment with both the loss and the controversial call, Bednar has turned his focus to Thursday’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.