Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Paul Stewart: Promoting Greater Consistency in Officiating
Author Message
Paul Stewart
Joined: 10.14.2013

Feb 16 @ 7:51 AM ET
Paul Stewart: Promoting Greater Consistency in Officiating
Steve-B
Colorado Avalanche
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Joined: 07.20.2011

Feb 16 @ 10:58 AM ET
Biggest issue in officiating today IMO.

I'm personally more of a fan of the way officiating is done in the playoffs where the ticky tack level hooking, interference, and tripping calls are not seen as much (That does not mean the blatant stuff isn't called). I don't like seeing players in a 50/50 battle to get to the puck, and the subsequent winner of that battle ending up with an interference call, absolutely hate those. The officials seem to focus on the clear cut penalties, and the teams seem to be able to know better how to play within those expectations.

I'm a since inception fan of Colorado, and a Tampa Bay Lighting season ticket holder. So I see a lot of different games in both conference. The only consistency is inconsistency right now IMO.

I hate it when it seems like the teams on the ice have no idea what they can and cannot get away with, having the inconsistency disrupt the flow of the game. Also it seems like teams who play a more physical brand and incorporate more picks and light interference get away with more of it. However that's probably just due to the absolute quantity of pushing the rule book that they incorporate into their games.

For a while it seemed like the mandate was to call everything extremely tight in order to promote more skating, open ice, and scoring. Then that mandate seemed to loosen up a bit, and now we have the inconsistency we see today.

I've never thought an increase in penalties helped the NHL's scoring numbers, it breaks up the flow of the game, and kills momentum inside games when you have an abundance of soft or make up type calls inside of a game. More penalties just promotes the 'parity' line as teams have more of a chance to get back into games sometimes, but at what cost?

What did you think of the wave off then reversal of the goal at the end of the Tampa/STL game?
Fountain-San
Boston Bruins
Location: Marchand is a rat fink dweeb.., ME
Joined: 02.21.2007

Feb 16 @ 11:09 AM ET
https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...of-the-ice-225522452.html

powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Feb 16 @ 11:29 AM ET
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/qmjhl-game-called-early-after-linesman-ruins-portion-of-the-ice-225522452.html
- Fountain-San


Why would the ice-master get mad at the linesman? Isn't he in charge of the quality of the ice? How do you let a logo pop up through the ice?
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Feb 16 @ 11:34 AM ET
Paul Stewart: Promoting Greater Consistency in Officiating
- Paul Stewart


Would love to get your take on the whole Simmonds/NY Rangers brouhaha. Seems to me, that the whole thing started when McDonagh cross checked Simmonds in the head, so I'm not sure why Vigneault was so off his rocker when the NHL chose not to dole out any punishment to Simmonds. I also thought that Tanner Glass' comments after the game about "getting Simmonds" were just silly, especially since he chose to tangle with Ryan White only after Simmonds was safely in the box for fighting McIlrath.

I understand why Simmonds felt the need to stand up for himself and fight with McIlrath, however, as a Flyers fan, I'd rather not see our #1 RW fighting with an NHL/AHL tweener.

If McDonagh has a problem with what Simmonds did to him, then he can challenge him like a man next time both teams play.
Fountain-San
Boston Bruins
Location: Marchand is a rat fink dweeb.., ME
Joined: 02.21.2007

Feb 16 @ 12:05 PM ET
Why would the ice-master get mad at the linesman? Isn't he in charge of the quality of the ice? How do you let a logo pop up through the ice?
- powerenforcer

i know its so (frank)ed.
bochangs
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 11.18.2014

Feb 16 @ 2:32 PM ET
My issue isn't so much that calls get missed, because it looks much easier on tv or from the stands than at ice level. I understand the officials are human, and no matter how well trained, experienced and good they are, there will be mistakes, missed calls, and bad calls. Human error is unavoidable...

What really bothers me is the situational officiating. There is only ONE NHL RULE BOOK. There is not a "regular season rulebook" and a seperate "playoff rule book". It is a joke that the officiating changes for the post season. High end skill teams have an advantage during the regular season because more penalties are called, so opponents are unable to hold, clutch, grab, interfere etc, as they will pay on the power play, but in the playoffs, it's the blue collar grinder teams that have an advantage, because they are allowed to get away with that stuff now. I don't care how the games are called, but don't change styles for the playoffs. Teams go all year learning how to play within the rules, and then suddenly when it matters, the entire rulebook changes. It's disgusting.

And my 2nd "situational officiating" complaint is in game. Maybe I'm just being a conspiracy theorist or I'm delusional, but I watch NHL hockey almost every single night of my life, I watch many games with many different teams, and I swear that it really looks like "whatever team is losing, get's the calls". It is not the officials job to "even out" or "help out" the losing team. The reason that the losing team is losing is because they are getting outplayed, or having bad luck. Make them play better if they want a chance to win. Don't give out weak pity penalties just because a team is losing 4-0 in the 3rd period. It drives me crazy. A weak tap to the knee is not called or even considered a slash when the score is 0-0 in the first period, but if it's 4-0 in the third period, it's a powerplay if its to the losing teams advantage.

Summary: I don't care if refs make mistakes and miss calls, but call the game by the rule book, and call everygame the same, regardless if it's the 2nd period of an exhibition game or the 3rd period of game 7 of the SCF. Stop being political!!!
YeOldTimer
Vancouver Canucks
Location: BC
Joined: 09.26.2010

Feb 16 @ 3:20 PM ET
Agree with the above poster.

Most games follow the same NHL pattern. Home team gets power plays early until they have the lead. Then their PK has to ride in to help hold the fort and save the day.

Occasionally the pattern's interrupted when players make glaring mistakes (high sticks, puck over glass, obvious trip, etc.) but for the most part NHL officials are pretty good at controlling the entertainment and building the drama. Not often do we see blowouts like the LA-Boston one.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Feb 16 @ 3:25 PM ET
My issue isn't so much that calls get missed, because it looks much easier on tv or from the stands than at ice level. I understand the officials are human, and no matter how well trained, experienced and good they are, there will be mistakes, missed calls, and bad calls. Human error is unavoidable...

What really bothers me is the situational officiating. There is only ONE NHL RULE BOOK. There is not a "regular season rulebook" and a seperate "playoff rule book". It is a joke that the officiating changes for the post season. High end skill teams have an advantage during the regular season because more penalties are called, so opponents are unable to hold, clutch, grab, interfere etc, as they will pay on the power play, but in the playoffs, it's the blue collar grinder teams that have an advantage, because they are allowed to get away with that stuff now. I don't care how the games are called, but don't change styles for the playoffs. Teams go all year learning how to play within the rules, and then suddenly when it matters, the entire rulebook changes. It's disgusting.

And my 2nd "situational officiating" complaint is in game. Maybe I'm just being a conspiracy theorist or I'm delusional, but I watch NHL hockey almost every single night of my life, I watch many games with many different teams, and I swear that it really looks like "whatever team is losing, get's the calls". It is not the officials job to "even out" or "help out" the losing team. The reason that the losing team is losing is because they are getting outplayed, or having bad luck. Make them play better if they want a chance to win. Don't give out weak pity penalties just because a team is losing 4-0 in the 3rd period. It drives me crazy. A weak tap to the knee is not called or even considered a slash when the score is 0-0 in the first period, but if it's 4-0 in the third period, it's a powerplay if its to the losing teams advantage.

Summary: I don't care if refs make mistakes and miss calls, but call the game by the rule book, and call everygame the same, regardless if it's the 2nd period of an exhibition game or the 3rd period of game 7 of the SCF. Stop being political!!!

- bochangs


I agree with this - it is what is basically a "participation award" or as Bettman likes to have it "parity". Well, in fact, there is no parity in the league, there will never be any parity in the league, and there should be no reason to try to make it exist. I am waiting for Mr. Stewart to write a column that basically says that the refs are instructed to call games a certain way, because to so me of us, they are doing it all the time.
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Unpopular opinion (i think): The best Die Hard movie is the 4th one- Live free or Die Hard -jdfitz7, NY
Joined: 10.07.2010

Feb 18 @ 12:44 AM ET
The biggest problem with officiating today is positioning. You can't call a goal from the corner. Of course you're going to lose sight of the puck on a goal mouth scramble if you're standing 15' away. Get up on the back of the net like they used to to see the puck if you have to.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Feb 18 @ 9:46 AM ET
Paul, I would love to hear your take on the Yandle play at the end of the Chi/NYR game last night? Why was no penalty called?