Stefan Noesen doesn't mince his words about controversial goalie interference called against Devils in shutout loss to Kings

The New Jersey Devils and Stefan Noesen lost 3-0 to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. A goaltender interference call canceled a key goal during the second period at 12:06. Timo Meier had scored on a rebound past Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, with Stefan Noesen near the crease. Kings coach Jim Hiller challenged the goal, and it was overturned for interference.

The NHL explained the decision, stating Stefan Noesen impaired Kuemper's ability to play his position. Rule 69.3 says any contact with a goaltender in the crease disallows the goal.

Stefan Noesen, however, strongly disagreed with the call and openly expressed his frustration over the decision.

“I’ve said it once before, I’ll say it again. I have no idea what the hell goaltender interference is,” he said. "I’m done guessing. I’m done with this. It’s kind of dumb. The explanation I was given was I was in, and then I was out. [Kuemper’s] stick was in there. But, you clearly see him bring the stick out with me. Dumb. I’m over it. It’s gonna piss me off even more just thinking about it.”

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe was less surprised by the decision.

“I had a pretty good sense they would challenge it,” he said (via NHL.com). “It’s one of those calls that can go either way.... There was a bump there, and those don’t usually go your way.”

The overturned goal affected the Devils' momentum. Kuemper had stopped 14 shots in the first period. After the disallowed goal, the Devils managed only six shots in the second period.

The call wasn’t the only reason for the Devils’ loss or their three-game road losing streak. However, confusion about goaltender interference remains an issue for players and fans.

Kings shut out Devils 3-0 after the goalie interference on Stefan Noesen

The New Jersey Devils lost 3-0 to the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said they lacked energy in the third period.

"Maybe ran out of gas a bit there in the third period but there's a lot to like about the game here today," Keefe said per NHL.com, "Certainly in comparison to yesterday."

Andre Lee scored the first goal for the Kings at 6:23 of the second period. Lee got a long pass from Jordan Spence and scored his first NHL goal on a breakaway.

In the third period, Quinton Byfield made it 2-0 after a pass from Phillip Danault set him up. Adrian Kempe scored an empty-net goal to finish the game.