Thanks Paul. Interesting, and amusing read as well. The refs to receive a lot of grief, and have a lot on their shoulders. Who's fault is that? I blame the NHL. The refs have to remember a book of rules, have video tape and an office to monitor them, have to keep their eyes all over the ice, and then have their on, and off ice critics to deal with. In addition, the players and coaches have to have an explanation for every call, and how many times do they run over to the refs to argue against the call, or try to influence a future call. Wouldn't you get tired of that every game? Now, if the NHL tries to encourage biased calling, then what can the refs do? The league pays them, and speaks to them before, and after the game. If the league was serious about consistent and fair penalty calling, or protecting all the players, wouldn't they have said something by now? It's easy to see all the bad calls that the refs make, but how many of the good calls do we notice? In the end, we have to remember that they are human, too. Fine the players and coaches that go after the refs. Remove the refs, and retrain them if they are having trouble making good calls. Keep the cameras for goal calls, and limit their use. Technology is great, but it can be over used. And, have the league be biased free with their rules, and who is called for a penalty.

Prust got fined and nothing about what Watson allegedly said was true. So for you all Hab fans crying about this and how refs like Fraiser and Stewey "stick together" when they know what it's like to be in that situation can go back to crying about being down 2 games to 0
- Stripes77

funny... how after his apology... the 'tards" have quietened down

funny... how after his apology... the 'tards" have quietened down
- BorjeFan4Ever

It was like I was saying. Stuff like this happens all the time. It just never gets aired in the media. It's the give and take between player and ref. Oh well time to move on.

We are talking about a guy that speared a goalie in round 1 for god sakes. When is the last time you saw a skater spear a goalie? And please don't say he did it because Anderson whacked him first. Goalies have been slashing players standing in the crease for decades, and you never see players turn around and spear the goalie.

Obviously, the refs knew about what Prust did in round one. They also know that he's got a reputation of saying dumb stuff and acting like a clown.

I doubt Watson said the majority of that stuff, but it also wouldn't totally shock me if he did. Refs are human and when humans see weasels trying to take over a game, I'm sure they will blow up from time to time.

I'm sure Matt Cooke has heard the same type of stuff from refs during his career. I'm not saying Prust is as dirty as Cooke or anything. I'm simply trying to point out that players who are known to do stupid/dirty things probably get an earful from the refs from time to time.

Man up. Suck it up and play the game.

Geez, when reading this article, I don't get the impression that refs are power hungry, egotistic, center of attention & controlling what so ever. Yeah right!

Geez, when reading this article, I don't get the impression that refs are power hungry, egotistic, center of attention & controlling what so ever. Yeah right!
- Jrw10

Alright so what happens when said player who makes all of these comments and retracts it two days later and apologizes?

Anderson speared Prust first. My theory is that if you can give some you can take some as well.
- stinger67

Did he b***ocks. Don't think you were watching the same thing as everyone else. Even the biased CBC commentators said that was Prust and you cannot do that.

We are talking about a guy that speared a goalie in round 1 for god sakes. When is the last time you saw a skater spear a goalie? And please don't say he did it because Anderson whacked him first. Goalies have been slashing players standing in the crease for decades, and you never see players turn around and spear the goalie.

Obviously, the refs knew about what Prust did in round one. They also know that he's got a reputation of saying dumb stuff and acting like a clown.

I doubt Watson said the majority of that stuff, but it also wouldn't totally shock me if he did. Refs are human and when humans see weasels trying to take over a game, I'm sure they will blow up from time to time.

I'm sure Matt Cooke has heard the same type of stuff from refs during his career. I'm not saying Prust is as dirty as Cooke or anything. I'm simply trying to point out that players who are known to do stupid/dirty things probably get an earful from the refs from time to time.

Man up. Suck it up and play the game.
- Charliebox

I wish pens players would spear goalies.