ESPN rules analyst: Refs had ‘no choice’ but to give Sharks’ MacDonald major penalty

San Jose Sharks coach David Quinn might have disagreed with a ruling that resulted in defenseman Jacob MacDonald being assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a hit from behind on a Colorado Avalanche player. But a former NHL referee felt the game’s officials made the correct call.

MacDonald on Sunday was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski just 2:47 into the first period. Malinski’s face was cut on the play.

Per league rules, NHL referees are required to conduct a video review on all major penalty calls, and after Frederick L’Ecuye and Tom Chmielewski looked at the replay, the call was confirmed and MacDonald was ejected.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin scored the game’s opening goal on the ensuing five-minute power play and the Avalanche never trailed again, cruising to a 6-2 win over the Sharks at Ball Arena in Denver.

“The five-minute major, (Malinski) toe-picks right as (MacDonald) is about to hit him, and (MacDonald) lets up a little bit,” Quinn told reporters. “If you look at it frame-by-frame and slow it up, it’s going to look bad. But play it live, Mac doesn’t have the chance to play in that situation frame by frame.”

Asked on social media Monday why the major penalty was issued when it appeared Malinski had tripped and MacDonald had simply finished his check, longtime NHL referee Dave Jackson, who now works as a rules analyst for ESPN, wrote, “I agree with your description however the onus is on the player to let up if able to and not cause injury.

“The refs felt he had time to adjust and not finish. Ultimately he caused injury to face, refs had no choice but to go 5 once they decided it was a penalty. Prob no susp.”

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has not announced any fine or suspension for MacDonald. Malinski returned to Sunday’s game with less than eight minutes remaining in the first period.

MacDonald said he was glad to see Malinski come back, but also didn’t feel the hit warranted a game misconduct.

“I tried to move out of the way so I don’t hit him right in the numbers,” MacDonald told reporters. “As I’m bracing myself on the wall, his head turns at the last second, and I hit him.”

MacDonald only had six penalty minutes in 13 games with the Sharks this season before Sunday. He is expected to be available to play on Tuesday when the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. The game is being streamed on ESPN+.