DAZED & CONFUSED

 

Well, so much for the big crackdown or rule changes or whatever you want to call the NHL’s futile attempt at better officiating. It seems all the referees need to attend hockey school all over again! Is it just me or should the officials be called for too many men on the ice? They can’t seem to get it right, again!

What on earth happened over at head office? The game had opened up as a result of the calls being made. Now all of a sudden the referees have grown quiet. Or is the NHL just trying to save money on pucks and whistles?

We shouldn’t really be surprised over this. I’ve been saying I’ll believe it when I see it since the announcement of the crackdown was first made. When the NHL actually went through with it, I said it wouldn’t last. I can’t say I was the only one, because I know everyone was waiting until the officials decided to put their whistles away and let the boys play.

I guess now it’s back to the drawing board for Andy Van Hellemond and company. Clearly to me there is something going on at NHL Headquarters or Mick “Mr. Magoo” McGeough is working overtime (no pun intended).

Case in point: A missed tripping call turns into a charging call in overtime. The ensuing power play results in the winning goal. Where’s the justice?

Ever notice the referees seem to kick teams when they’re down? I’ve watched two games now where the score was astronomical, yet the referees continue to call penalties against the teams who are on the short end of the score. Of course, this results in an expanded score by the end of the power play.

On the flip side of this, a team can be up by a single goal and then all of a sudden there’s a questionable power play for the opposing team. Next thing you know the score is tied and we’re either headed for overtime or the team that scored now has momentum on their side. To me it’s too much empowerment on the referees’ parts. Don’t decide a game, officiate it!

The league called for “Zero Tolerance” for most obstruction interference plays and for unsportsmanlike conduct infractions like diving and talking back to the ref, yet players are calling the calls (or non-calls) a joke.

With two referees on the ice they can’t even decide if a goal is good without calling upstairs. Earth to the refs: Open your eyes! I’ve seen a referee (no names mentioned) stand behind the net and still review a goal with video replay.

And whatever happened to holding the referees accountable by e-mailing a play they missed or by what was referred to as “drastic measures to be taken”?

OK, I’m done ranting and raving. I could go on and on but it won’t accomplish anything more than showing I have a hot head, which most of you knew already. We all knew this would happen so we can’t say we’re surprised. I do, however, have two simple solutions should the league choose to entertain suggestions:

1. Get rid of the second referee, and don’t let me hear any more hogwash about the need for the extra body. They couldn’t get it together with one and they can’t get it together with two. With 30 teams, all the extra payroll could be spent better elsewhere. For god sakes, there are two linesmen, let them blow the whistle once and awhile.

2. Move the video goal judge into the penalty box so the referee can review the play himself. I think this one is pretty much self-explanatory.

As for me, I’ve picked on our friend Mr. Bettman enough of late, so I’ll leave all of this in his and the league’s capable hands. Here’s hoping they can get the officiating right in time for the playoffs, but I’ll tell you what, I’m not holding my breath!

Quite frankly, there are more pressing issues to address, something I’ll address next time around. In the meantime, keep those pucks out of the snow and watch out for those cars!

Happy New Year everyone!


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