You make some great points - the only one of which I will argue is the
"knowledgeable" part when speaking of the fans as a single entity.  We all
know that in the Alfond, the majority of the noise (when it's there) comes
from the balcony where the students are.  Unfortunately, many students will
yell when something goes against Maine, no matter what it is.

I spent a lot of time up there (not as much recently, having graduated and
given that my season tickets are at the other end of the arena), but I'd say
the "knowledgeable fans" are easily in the minority up there.  Not to insult
anyone, but there were plenty of times where a Maine player would simply
lose an edge and go into the boards, and most of the fans would scream for a
whistle.

It's almost irritating to be a knowledgeable hockey fan surrounded by so
many people that really won't pay attention to the rules unless it's in
Maine's favor.

As for whether or not they are influenced by fans, I would like to think
they aren't - because they shouldn't be, but in the end I have a feeling
refs at all levels are influenced by outside sources.  It's like in the NHL
when the whistle is put away late in a game or in OT.  Sometimes it's the
fans, sometimes it's the coaches, sometimes the circumstances in the game.
Either way, I'm sure they aren't always making calls just because it's the
right call.  Personally, I'd rather them miss a call than make one because a
fan encouraged them to. 

-----Original Message-----
From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of The Chesleys
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: whos' out front and yelling at the ALfond

Well Jim, I agree with you. As usual. Especially in the case where there is
a discussion between officials after a call.  Come on guys, even NHL
officials are influenced by fans.  I've never reffed hockey at the D-1 level
but I have reffed youth hockey, soccer, and softball.  Sometimes you're
pretty sure that you saw something a particular way but not totally positive
because of your particular viewing angle.  But when 90% of the fans saw
something and have a strong reaction (especially knowledgeable fans, like at
the Alfond) you can bet that the officials are paying attention. After all,
fans don't intentionally make up things to yell about to influence the
calling of a game.  The refs know this.  This is especially true when a
visiting player is bending the rules and is making cheap shots.  This can
help the ref to pay a little
more attention to that particular player.   Also, the booth replay
officials will likely be somewhat influenced by crowd reaction in
determining whether to review a goal.  Or maybe when a player dives and gets
the call and the ref is thinking about whether it was actually more of a
dive.  Well when a hundred fans start yelling "DIVE" that ref will be
watching that player a little more carefully the next time.

Fans do have influence, not because they are one-sided but because they are
closely watching the game and are knowledgeable about hockey and the rules.
More than anything the refs want to get it right and factor in all the
information available to them.  It's pretty rare for a ref to actually alter
a call but I have seen it and I have suspected that fan reaction did have
some influence.  But generally fan influence is going to be more subtle.

The important thing though is that the players hear and appreciate our
support.  Yelling is a good thing!  Don't leave it up to the student
section!

GO BLUE!!!

Clair '71

PS:  I thought that "asinine" was over the top and disrespectful to one of
the most valuable and knowledgeable contributors to this list.



-----Original Message-----
From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of james acheson
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: whos' out front and yelling at the ALfond


you can believe what you want, but when asinine is used as an adective, I
feel no need to back up what I said.


--- john loftus <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>
> John, I couldn't agree with you more.
>                                Up Here In Black Bear
> Hockey Country                                -30-
>
>
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:34:55 -0500From:
> [log in to unmask]: Re: whos' out front and yelling at the 
> ALfondTo: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> In a message dated 11/27/2007 11:05:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
> [log in to unmask] writes:
> referees have also altered calls based on what wasyelled from the 
> stands... more often than not it is alinesman who reports something to 
> the ref after a fanyells what he saw, that the linesman also saw but 
> theref did not... when the whole arena hears the fan yellto the 
> linesman that he saw the same thing that thelinesman saw, the linesman 
> can more comfortably goreport it to the ref.
>
> I just can't believe James actually believes what he types sometimes. 
> With all due respect, this has to be one of the most asinine things 
> I've read on this board. Where do you get your info?? Any official who 
> "alters" a call based on what is yelled from the stands will not get 
> another assignment.
>
> I hope James is just encouraging fans to be exuberant and sporting.
>
>
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