Early in the third period of SLUs Sat. night game with RPI, referee P. Belanger
lost sight of the puck during a scramble in front of the RPI net and blew the p
lay dead a few seconds before the puck squirted into the goal.  SLU soph. forwa
rd, Burke Murphy immediately skated toward the official protesting loudly what
he felt was a quick whistle.  He deserved a 10 minute misconduct.  However, Bel
anger stepped into the player, initiating contact.  He then responded as though
 he had been the recipient of the agression and immediately tossed Murphy from
the game.  Can someone with officiating experience or expertise comment on the
instructions officials receive for dealing with situations of this type.  It se
ems to me that good officials seek to avoid such confrontations by skating away
 or into their circle of protection at the scorers table.  If the player pursue
s he is penalized.  Belanger often officiates with a chip on his shoulder and t
his is just the latest example.