GDT#43: 1/12/12 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/KMOX

[cardsfan04]

I was talking with a buddy of mine who works full time at a hockey rink. He said that the referees they have unanimously agreed that the Backes hit was a penalty and I tend to agree. I didn't like the call, but I think that was definitely boarding.

My only issue with the call is that it happened with 19 seconds left in a tie game AND it wasn't a super obvious penalty that absolutely had to be called.

That is one of the major reasons the league has trouble drawing new fans, a penalty should be a penalty no matter what the game situation is. You either broke the rules or you did not.

I've heard that argument before and it makes sense in theory. But, if they called a penalty every time somebody broke a rule, we'd have penalties called nonstop. The referees have to (and do) use discretion in when to call a penalty and when not to.

[glen a richter]

I think the biggest reason the league has trouble drawing new fans is that people don't want to educate themselves on the intricate rules of the game. Honestly, to a casual observer trying to differentiate between things like when it is or isn't icing, what constitutes an offsides, when something is or isn't a penalty, the league tried to remedy that by eliminating the two line pass, but what the hell are they supposed to do? Get rid of every rule that makes hockey hockey and just have them passing up ice all willy-nilly shooting at will, no defense, straight up individuality and a lack of teamwork and trying to have ridiculously high scoring games to appease to a clueless fan base? What is this, the NBA?

[theohall]

I think the biggest reason the league has trouble drawing new fans is that people don't want to educate themselves on the intricate rules of the game. Honestly, to a casual observer trying to differentiate between things like when it is or isn't icing, what constitutes an offsides, when something is or isn't a penalty, the league tried to remedy that by eliminating the two line pass, but what the hell are they supposed to do? Get rid of every rule that makes hockey hockey and just have them passing up ice all willy-nilly shooting at will, no defense, straight up individuality and a lack of teamwork and trying to have ridiculously high scoring games to appease to a clueless fan base? What is this, the NBA?

Hell... I am a hockey fan and I can't tell you how they call interference. Numerous occasions in various games, not just Blues games, blatant interference happens. Then, what looks to me like a puck battle in front of the net or a clean check on a puck carrier is called as interference. Look at the NHL videos on what is supposed to be interference and there certainly is not how it gets called from the games I've seen this season.

As an example, just over 3 minutes into the 3rd period in the Wild game, the puck is coming to a Blues player's feet. He has not touched the puck. He gets leveled by the defenseman. No interference call. By the rules and their own doggone videos, it exemplifies interference. And this is immediately after two calls were made against the Blues. So why no call???? This is what makes it difficult for new fans. One of us experienced folks teaches them the rules, then the refs don't call them and we have to just shrug our shoulders and move on.

[DaDitka]

[quote="glen a richter"]but what the hell are they supposed to do? Get rid of every rule that makes hockey hockey/quote]


Nope, just call the penalty just like they did.

It's also ridiculous when you're heading into the third period trailing by two so you know it's a given they you're going to get two or three PP in the first half of the period......yes, we've even benefited from that situation, but I still think it's crap.

If you see a penalty, blow the whistle or don't. If you would call it in the firs 10 minutes of the game, call it in the final two. If you didn't call it in the first period, don't call it in the third.

Just like how you basically have to kill someone to get a penalty called in OT.

And no, I don't want a game full of a million whistles and 10 pp each, I actually enjoy when they 'let them play', I just ask that once an official decides how close he's going to call a game, he remains consistent throughout, no matter what the score is.

[cardsfan04]

but what the hell are they supposed to do? Get rid of every rule that makes hockey hockey/quote]


Nope, just call the penalty just like they did.

It's also ridiculous when you're heading into the third period trailing by two so you know it's a given they you're going to get two or three PP in the first half of the period......yes, we've even benefited from that situation, but I still think it's crap.

If you see a penalty, blow the whistle or don't. If you would call it in the firs 10 minutes of the game, call it in the final two. If you didn't call it in the first period, don't call it in the third.

Just like how you basically have to kill someone to get a penalty called in OT.

And no, I don't want a game full of a million whistles and 10 pp each, I actually enjoy when they 'let them play', I just ask that once an official decides how close he's going to call a game, he remains consistent throughout, no matter what the score is.

I agree with this post completely. I still am going to whine about them calling Backes though, at least in my head.