Leafs' Babcock wants goalie interference inconsistencies 'fixed' before playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock appears to be fed up with the lack of clarity on what's goalie interference, and what isn't.

During the Leafs' 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, the officials ruled there was no goaltender interference on Johan Larsson's goal seen below:

what even happened here pic.twitter.com/hkiqqXB3hP

- NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) March 6, 2018

Babcock was not happy with the call, and hopes inconsistencies such as this incident won't decide playoff games this spring.

"No one knows what's going on so we better get it solved," Babcock told TSN's Kristen Shilton postgame. "Let's get it fixed before the playoffs so we all know the rules."

What seems to have irked Babcock the most is that the league explanation stated that no goaltender interference occurred on the play, but apparently the referee told him Frederik Andersen was indeed interfered with, but it occurred outside the crease.

"What I don't like is the report that came out from the league is different than what they told me," he told TSN's Mark Masters. "They told me he was interfered with outside the paint, which is not true. That tonight is goalie interference any way you look at it."

Babcock may have a legitimate gripe. It appears Larsson's skate sweeps through the crease and makes contact with Andersen while he's still on the outer edges of the blue paint.

As expected, Andersen wasn't pleased with the call, either.

"I think if anything (goalie interference) is more unclear," Andersen told Shilton. "Hopefully it's something that can be fixed in the next few weeks. The sooner the better."

Over a month ago, Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a memo to officials asking them to ease off when looking at video for goaltender interference, yet controversies remain.

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