Tensions were high following the Edmonton Oilers’ comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, with some a little disappointed with the decision that ended up being a big part of the game.

Both Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and Avalanche bench boss Jared Bednar were asked about the play that led to Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon being ejected from the game.

“If you put guys in your own goal, it’s not a penalty,” Bednar stated.

“You obviously have to protect your goalies,” Knoblauch said.

In the final minute of the second period, MacKinnon was driving hard to the front of the net, when he collided with Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram. Ingram was down in considerable pain and ended up leaving the game due to injury.

Knoblauch mentioned after the game that Ingram was feeling better, but that he was forced to be removed from the game due to concussion protocol.

“He’s feeling well. Obviously, that can change, but he was not allowed to come back, not just because of the concussion spotter.”

Ingram was replaced by Tristan Jarry, who stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced as the Oilers came back to win, 4-3.

Knoblauch recognized that MacKinnon didn’t intend to injure Ingram, but pointed to players having to be wary of the masked men in a high-speed game.

“It was accidental,” Knoblauch said. “Obviously, it wasn’t on purpose, but it’s something you have to be careful with the goaltenders.”

Bednar explained that the only reason MacKinnon collided with Ingram was that Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse checked him into the goaltender, putting home the fact that MacKinnon shouldn’t have been kicked out of the contest.

“There’s no chance that he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him,” Bednar explained. “He’s not hitting the goalie…I check the overhead first, he’s going to go where his toes are pointed, and they’re going to the top of the crease with Ingram in the bottom of the crease until Nurse makes contact with him, and that’s what causes the collision….I don’t care if he’s injured, not injured. It’s a severe crash, not a severe crash. It’s not a penalty.”

Edmonton failed to cash in on the major power play. Though the Avs were able to tie the game at three in the third period, Oilers captain Connor McDavid scored what ended up being the game-winner on the man advantage just before the halfway mark of the final frame.

The Oilers (32-25-8) are second in the Pacific Division, three points back of the Anaheim Ducks for first. The Avalanche (43-11-9) holds the best record in the league, sitting five points ahead of the Dallas Stars in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.