After another sad showing by the boys in black and white, I finally thought it was time for me to rant. Watching hockey in years past, I was always upset by how the referee’s would call the games and how most hockey people accepted it. Or at least expected it.
Clutching, grabbing and interfering were the norm. Referee’s put their whistle away in the third period, afraid to ”change the outcome” of a game, which is what happens when you don’t call penalties anyway! A change was needed.
So what happens? The NHL instructs the referees to stop the clutching, grabbing and hooking. So what do the referees do? They turn ice hockey into ten man figure skating exhibitions. If a player touches another above the waist with his stick, wham! Two-minute penalty! Most not even close to hooking or slashing. And let’s be clear here. These are not new rules, but rules that needed enforced better. Not this extreme, but better.
And what is this crap about the “need to protect our skilled players?” Shouldn’t they protect ALL players? A blatant attack on any player should be met with the same results no matter how many goals or assists you have. Let them hit the hell out of each other below the neck. But, all attacks to the head should be game misconducts.
The referees need to be more consistent. Let the ticky-tack tapping with the sticks go. If it doesn’t affect the play, let them play! If you attempt to injure, you should be sitting and losing money for it. It is a CONTACT sport. But it is a SPORT!!
