Paul Stewart: Re-Thinking Officiating Methodology

People say they want consistancy but they dont. If refs called a game in Nov the same as a game in a game 7 of the playoffs people wouldd be outraged. As the stakes step up everything steps up including what should be called interference or holding. I thought the playoffs were called pretty good last year.

Paul the first part is exactly what I am talking about. The players will adapt. But in the last post I reffered to reffing the game based on the score. I have often seen games where one team is getting destroyed in all aspects. The team being beaten continues to take stupid penalties and then suddenly that team's actions are no lnger penalties. Anything the dominant team does is a penalty. Then the game changes.

This makes a game exciting late into the game for both fans, but I also find it exciting to see my team whoop another team.

I do not understand why in the NHL especially, (and it trickles down to how lower levels are officiated), the game is officaited to the score and the importance of the game. Every game is important. Every play is important.

Saying you do not want the officials to decide the game is the same thing as snitches get stiches. In both cases it allows the cheaters to win.

The players still decide the game because it is their actions that dictate a penalty or not and the officials are just doing their jobs. If you do not commit the crime you do not have to do the time.

So this narrative of the officials deciding the game is nonsense. In fact it is an ironic statement as it is the players. In order to absolve themselves of making a mistake no calls or only the most aggrevious penalties are called.

Almost every shift Shea Weber takes he should head to the box. I do not understand why behind the net or in the corners he is allowed to cross check. Using your arm to check is not a check. I watched Polak close line a guy and it was talked about as good hit??? How can that be? A check is done with a stick on puck, a shoulder, a hip, the body but a shove, a push, an arm, a knee, an elbow or a stick on the body. The players stop playing good hockey when they are not held to the standards.

There is an art to checking and it is quickly becoming a lost art.

People say they want consistancy but they dont. If refs called a game in Nov the same as a game in a game 7 of the playoffs people wouldd be outraged. As the stakes step up everything steps up including what should be called interference or holding. I thought the playoffs were called pretty good last year.
- Grinder47

The pnly thing that would outrage me is that players are still playing so stupidly. Every level you learn new hacks and how to disguise them. That is a weak way to play the game.

The pnly thing that would outrage me is that players are still playing so stupidly. Every level you learn new hacks and how to disguise them. That is a weak way to play the game.
- BluemanGuruu

Desperation level goes way up in the playoffs. Players play harder and are thinkinh more about getting the puck than if something is a hook or hold. I for one like it when they let the stupid stuff go in the playoffs and the game has good flow. One could call a hold or interference about every 20 seconds if they wanted to. Could the players adapt? Sure slow the game down instead of going balls to the walls. Great idea.