I have been interested in the discussion concering two officials versus one
official.   The one thing people have not noticed is that the 2 referee one
linesman system has been run differently in each conference (reffering to the
duties).  Most obviously this has led to some poor offsides calling, which has
been complained about on the list.
 
In the strict "MANUAL" sense:
(1) The linesman in this system is in charge of the lead blue line.
(2) When the play gets set up in a zone: the will be one referee on the goal
line looking for goals, stoppage of play and penalties occuring near the puck;
The other refferee is on the blue line watching for penalties behind the play
and calling offsides on a close play at the line;  The linesman is on the red
line waiting for the play to go the other way, as he will call offsides on the
far blue line.
-This system works well because on a "break-in" style play the linesman can stay
right on the line and watch offisides while the referee (who was on the blue
line) can follow the play into the zone watching for penalties and goals and not
worrying about offsides while the other official (who was on the goal line) can
follow the play and watch for cheap shots behind the play.  Thus, the only time
a referee has to call offsides on a break-in situation is when the linesman has
just dropped the puck.
 
HOWEVER,
Some crews have chosen not to do it this way.  They have the Linesman in between
the two officials covering the near blue line.  This means the lead referee has
to call offsides, penalties and goals during a break in play, which means many
offisides are called improperly.
 
This may be why many of you are against the 2-1 system.
Personally, I think the 2-1 system is better, because alot less penalties are
missed behind the play
 
just my $0.03
 
Ryan Stone