I can't point to any one call that I thought was outrageously bad (though of
course I don't know exactly what was said for the unsportsmanlikes and the
bench minors).  Still, this felt like an overcontrolled game to me.  I
personally hate games with too many power plays; they're too static, too
much perimeter play, and lack end to end action.  I think that the fact that
there were unsportsmanlikes called, and the fact that BOTH coaches ragged on
the ref were indications that the game was called too tightly for a national
finals game.
 
However, to give credit where it's due, didn't Noeth ref one of the semis?
I don't remember feeling that he overcontrolled the game.  Actually, the
fact that I'm not sure it was him means that I didn't notice who the ref
was, which is a good sign.
 
I thought the best reffed game that I saw in this year's tournament was
Michigan/UNH.  There were only two penalties called.  Of course, it's
possible that there were calls that were missed.  But the signs of a game
that's called too loosely -- e.g. escalating chippiness, increasing levels
of clutching and grabbing -- didn't seem to happen.  So I assume that either
the ref controlled the game without giving penalties, or the teams played a
disciplined game, and there weren't penalties to be called.  If it's the
former, I congratulate him for being able to control without sending guys to
the box, and if it's the latter, then I congratulate him for not feeling
that he had to call penalties, even if they weren't there.
 
 I think the ref was Schmitt.  Is he a WCHA guy?
 
Clay
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Weise [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 1999 10:10 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: anyone impressed with Noeth?
>
> After watching ECAC games religiously for the past 5 years,
> Noeth has risen to become the top ref in the league. He's done
> an excellent job of knowing when and when not to call a penalty
> and (IMO) has clearly shown everyone that he's the boss. He's
> also been the ref in the past two championship games in Lake
> Placid (1998 & 1999), so the ECAC has taken notice. I can't really
> think of any other ECAC ref that has been better.
>
> Andy Weise
> SUNY Potsdam '93
> Union College '95
>
> HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
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