DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 02: Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks looks for an opening on goal against Ian Cole #28 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.

Watch: Sharks' goal disallowed due to high-sticking penalty

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Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A San Jose Sharks goal was taken away in controversial fashion Saturday night in Game 5 of their second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.

Kevin Labanc's first-period marker was waved off because referee Tim Peel handed Sharks forward Timo Meier a high-sticking penalty seconds before the goal. However, replays appeared to show Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie lifting Meier's stick into Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen's face.

Making matters worse for San Jose, here's where Peel was when he made the call:

And here's where the other referee, Marc Joannette, was positioned. He didn't call a penalty.

The NHL's explanation simply stated the penalty was called before the goal, but the league didn't provide further rationale.

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