The New York Islanders were furious after their go-ahead goal with 9.6 seconds left was disallowed due to goaltender interference.
"To me, that's a goal all day long on the ice," forward Bo Horvat said. "I don't know what's good and what's not anymore. To me, that was one of the worst (calls) I've seen."
"I think it was f-----g embarrassing," forward Kyle Palmieri added, according to The Athletic's Arthur Staple.
Palmieri bumped Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins moments before the puck entered the net.
@espnnhl The #Islanders' lead-taking goal with 10 seconds left in regulation was called back due to goalie interference, and the #BlueJackets won it in the shootout π #NHL #hockey β¬ original sound - NHL on ESPN
The Blue Jackets went on to win the contest in a shootout. The Islanders could've tied the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a win.
"If (the review center in Toronto) is afraid to overturn calls made by the referee, we don't need Toronto," head coach Patrick Roy said. "That's all I'm gonna say."
Horvat noted it's difficult for players to understand what's allowed near the crease.
"I think that's the frustrating part, is we don't know (how to operate near the crease) anymore," Horvat said. "It's a guessing game all the time. We've been called back so many times it feels like in the last week to two, and it's just really getting frustrating when you're pushing for a playoff spot.
"That's obviously a game-winning goal, late in a hockey game. To me, it's unacceptable."
