At 10:23 AM 11/2/95 -0500, James Blashill wrote:
 
>Just a thought about the WCHA referee business.  Does having two refs in
>a game change the chemistry?  For example, if one ref is making more
>calls, would the other ref try to catch up?  It seems to me that the
>double ref system was tried elsewhere and discarded.  I would appreciate
>other viewpoints.
 
I must say I've seen a lot more CCHA games (single-ref) in the last few
years than games from the other two-ref conferences.  While not willing to
resurrect last year's tourney ref discussion, I've also wondered what
purpose two refs serve.  I understand the argument that two pairs of eyes
miss fewer calls, but I've never really bought into it.  Flagrant (read,
injury potential) calls missed by the ref can always be covered by a
linesman, as in the CCHA.
 
However, I think a good referee sees the whole ice, much like a good player
or coach does.  The two-ref games I've seen appeared awkward at best, as
referees are switching between line- and player-watching.  I think this
apparent conflict in roles leads to missed line violations and penalties.
Plus, I recall two-ref games featuring a lot more
officials-in-the-way-of-the-players situations than the one-ref games, where
players have a better idea where the linesmen and ref will set up.
 
Besides, the NHL seems to manage okay with one ref.  Sure, there will be the
occasional Ulf Samuellssen (sp?) incident.  But you'll never catch
everything, no matter how many refs you put on the ice.  The long and short
of it is this:  Officials should have as little presence in a game as
necessary to insure order and minimize the potential for player-inflicted
injury.  After all, do we really want hockey to become like football???
 
Just my 2 cents, as I have about that much left from my Permanent Fund
check... :)
 
Mark
___________________________________________________________________________
Mark J. Sonnier, C.P.M.                                 Voice (907)786-6505
Purchasing Agent                                          Fax (907)786-6515
University of Alaska Anchorage           e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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