NHL issues statement on tonight's controversial goal call.

The National Hockey League is attempting to explain away a controversial goal call from tonight's clash between the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

During the first period at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, the Maple Leafs were denied a goal after the officials on the ice ruled that Leafs forward William Nylander had interfered with Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Here's a look at the replay of that incident:

The Leafs clearly felt that the wrong call had been made and as a result head coach Sheldon Keefe issued a coach's challenge. In spite of the challenge the league would rule that the officials on the ice had made the correct call which would result in considerable backlash on social media.

It wasn't just limited to fans however with former NHL players like Kelly Hrudey and Kevin Bieksa expressing their confusion at the decision from the NHL's video review team.

As I mentioned the NHL has attempted to offer an explanation, but to be honest they don't do a great job of clarifying their position on this matter. From the NHL:

Video review supported the Referee's call on the ice that Toronto's William Nylander impaired Connor Hellebuyck's ability to play his position in the crease. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1 which states, in part, that "Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal."

The league is likely hoping to move on from this particular controversy as quickly as possible.