> I've read the criticism about Shepherd and the Mich/Maine semi-final game. I
> understand the points about the no-calls. But, I prefer the style of
> officiating that we saw. If a power play goal had decided that game in
> overtime I am certain the major thread about officiating on Hockey-L would be
> markedly different. None of the no-calls I saw involved dangerous plays nor
> did they involve clear progress to the net. Shepherd is an excellent referee
> and he usually "lets 'em play".
 
This is incorrect,  SEVERAL of the no-calls, ON BOTH ENDS OF THE ICE, resulted
in the MISSING OF or CREATING scoring opportunities as players had progress
towards the net.  I am in COMPLETE disagreement with your powerplay goal
opinion.  IF a team commits a penalty in overtime, which is a penalty at any
other time in the game, and it prevents a scoring chance then THAT team DESERVES
to lose on a POWERPLAY GOAL if they cannot kill the penalty.  Unfortunately,
that pair was SO inconsistent throughout the game that if they had continued to
call RANDOM penalties in overtime, one team would have been upset.  Nevertheless
the POINT is, there were clearly not called infractions in overtime that both
officials would have called in any of the first 3 periods (except maybe late in
the 3rd) which were not called.
 
BTW, I was sitting near an NCAA Officials Coordinator (as indicated by his
badge) and he was VISIBLY IRATE at the officiating in overtime.
 
Ryan Stone