I don't know and haven't figured out whether this piece of information
goes to HOCKEY-L or INFO-HOCKEY-L. The rules are confusing and
ambiguous. Perhaps I am just confused and ambiguous. :)
 
But here is the information:
 
It was annouced today that the WCHA changed the nature of the DQ
given to MTU's Freshman Player Yarko Ruutu in Friday Night's refereeing
debacle at Univ of Minn- Duluth. For a quick recap, at 13:56 in the
3rd period, Ruutu checked a UMD player near the UMD benches. This
precipitated a brawl in which was caused by the referees losing control
of the game.  Several penalties were given, one of which was a DQ to
MTU's Ruutu for fighting. Since it was Ruutu's 2nd DQ for fighting,
he was to sit out three games. In addition, if he were DQ'ed again for
fighting, his playing season would be terminated.
 
Review of game films showed that Ruutu did not throw any punches and
generally tried to avoid fighting. The WCHA removed the reason for
the DQ as being fighting but still allowed the DQ to stand. Since
it was Ruutu's 2nd DQ (this DQ not fighting), Ruutu will have to sit
out two games which include the Saturday 28 Oct 95 game and the Friday
3 Nov 95 UAA game. This also has the implication that should Ruutu get
another fighting DQ (an event that we not Ruutu would like to see), he
will not be terminated from play for the remaining games of this season.
 
My additional comments:
 
In the WCHA, we have a rule that states more or less that league officials
shall not reduce game penalties awarded by referees. THis move is an
apparent compromise between a flagrant bad call with injustice to
Ruutu and the league rule. I am not certain about the wisdom of the
league's rule.  In Friday night's game fight, the same one that Ruutu
got the boot in, MTU was awarded fewer penalties at the time of the incident
than was UMD. However, the referees did not allow MTU the power play. In
addition, both MTU and UMD had players on the ice playing following penallty
that were supposed to be in the penalty box.  In the last four seconds of
regular period play, the ref's blew another call which led directly to UMD's
OT win. An assist on that OT score was Mrozik who was DQ'ed for leaving the
bench to participate in the forementioned fight. (Mrozik was not DQed until
the next day when game films were reviewed.)
 
In Saturday night's game, the same referees (Thomas, Krieger) also
continued to make very questionable and film showing incorrect calls
which influenced the game scoring.
 
This is not to say that in either case that UMD would have lost the
games. UMD is fine team which I expect to see in the playoffs.
 
The real problem is what can the league do about such poor officiating
after the fact?  It is true that no one, not even I, can see everything
happening on the ice, especially when out of position and a long distance
from the action. Because of the game speed and collision (field hockey
is a contact sport) it is not possible for a human to be 100% correct
100% of the time officiating. If we expect that, then perhaps our goals
are a bit idealistic. But we do have and should use the technology to
review a questionable call at the time it occurs. Video replay on MAJOR
infractions can prevent the debacle of both Friday and Saturday night
games.
 
I do not want every call reviewed. But a major call that is questionable
should be reviewed.  Some might say this will delay the game. In Friday
night's game, play was stopped for 20 minutes so that the ref's could
get the facts straight and they still didn't. I think that if video replay
were used, the situation would have been correct in about 5 minutes. By
limiting the replay to defined major calls and by limiting the time to
review and make a decision about the call, game delay can be held to a
minumum.
 
This should not be viewed as 2nd guessing or back biting the referees but
rather as a way of improving the game of hockey. Coaches use film to
improve the skills of their players to improve hockey. Some use it between
periods. It is time that referees take advantage of this tool to improve
their skills and the game.
 
Walt Olson
MTU
 
(Usual disclaimers: I am not nor wish to be an official spokesperson
for Mich Tech. The views above are mine but may be shared with others.)
 
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