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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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DAZED & CONFUSED