"Does the league hate OEL?", "Refs are destroying this sport": NHL fans unhappy with boarding penalty called against Leafs' Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson was penalized for hitting Winnipeg Jets star Vladislav Namestnikov, who fell to the ice after the impact. Ekman-Larsson was subsequently sent to the penalty box.

The penalty ultimately didn't impact the Leafs much. They were able to resist four goals from the Jets and hand Winnipeg the first loss of the season. They had won eight in a row to begin.

NHL fans, however, were not happy with the penalty on Ekman-Larsson. They believe it was a clean hit and that there should not have been a whistle for it.

"That was a good hit; refs are destroying this sport, soft league," one fan commented.

"The fact that this was called a penalty while Winnipeg had too many men is an example of ineptitude that would be sooo funny if it didn't have actual real world implications," one added.

"Ignoring the obvious too many men that went uncalled, that isn't a penalty," another agreed.

"Namestikov JUST got rid of the puck as OEL made the slightest contact," one pointed out.

"Guess if you jump into boards while getting hit it's an instant penalty, only if you're wearing a leafs sweater of course," another complained.

Many fans pointed out a missed call against the Jets that made this penalty call even more frustrating, but the Leafs eventually prevailed.

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NHL analysts debate Oliver Ekman-Larsson's hit after controversial call

This wasn't the first time Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been involved in a controversial call. A week ago, an NHL analyst came to his defense after he was fined for a reverse hit. One analyst believed it shouldn't have even been a penalty, let alone a fine.

However, ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro chimed in with:

"A reverse hit is interference every time IMO / the guy that gets hit doesn't have the puck. Different if 'hitter' is bracing himself for a hit, but to throw a shoulder into somebody who doesn't have the puck is a penalty. If it isn't, doesn't that mean you can hit anyone anywhere-puck or not?"

There was no clear answer here, but the officials penalized Ekman-Larsson. The NHL also agreed as they fined him later.