Care to make a comment on the blown call last night in the Wahington - Detroit game? Some are calling it the worst call in NHL history (Hockey News).
Isn't it a requirement that a ref actually see the infraction, rather than just guessing based on the circumstances?
NHL needs a coaches challenge system.
- scottak
What is there to say?
Mike made the mistake of trying to surmise something that happened when his attention was diverted rather than making no immediate call and conferring to see what his partners' saw. Once the arm goes up (figuratively in this case), you can't put it back down. If you don't see it, talk it over.
Just as important, GET TO THE NET and skate where you need to skate to see what you need to see. So many goals/ disallowed goals end up affected by this but the NHL still coaches its officials to "stay out of the way".
Positioning sells calls, although this one was simply a missed call. People will forget the missed hook at center ice but they'll be less forgiving when there's a would-be goal involved.
With what said, we've outlawed the guillotine and we're not going to take a guy out and shoot him on the village green for a mistake. Hockey is a sport of mistakes. Players make 'em all game long. Coaches make bad mistakes on occasion. So do officials.
Would you ask a former goalie for comment when an unscreened 80-foot dribbler eludes a goalie? Bad mistakes happen, and are mortifying when you realize it. Trust me, no one feels worse than the official himself when he sees the replay of something like this.
If I were reviewing or supervising the game, I'd talk it over and then give him a pat on the shoulder before I left the room. I've been on the other side myself.
