>
> Cole has been a nationally acclaimed ref at least through the 90s.  He
> does *look* young, but he is the HEA best, hands down.  He has been to
> many NCAA tournaments, so the college hockey establishment must like him
> too.
>
> Since no one seems to have come to his defense, perhaps he had a bad
> night?  Seems more likely Maine had a forgettable weekend.
>
 
Cole does have a great reputation.  However...
 
As an unbiased viewer from the press box, I have to say that he blew the
penalty shot call.  I was *stunned*, thinking that at most Larose was going
to get two minutes.  And frankly, it just looked like a great effort on
his part.  I can't recall any other instance where a penalty shot was called
for such a minimal offense.
 
In the postgame press conference, the play was being discussed and Cronin
asked the New Hampshire writers what they thought.  One of them said, "Well
he did bother him."  At that point Cronin said, "That's $$%%%^ backchecking!"
 
To which I have to agree.
 
In response to a question of mine, Cronin also noted that both Shermerhorn
and Wansborough were given their 10 minutes but had not sworn at the ref.
Cronin said that he asked Cole because if they'd sworn they were gone for
the game.  To which Cole reportedly responded (regarding the Shermerhorn
call), "He just kept asking why there was a penalty shot and wouldn't get
out of my face."
 
Cronin pointed out that Shermerhorn was an assistant captain, but Cole
said he only talks to captains...  It went on from there.
 
(I have a small subset of Cronin's comments on my game report on USCHO.)
 
Of course, we don't have Cole's side of all of this.  I'm sure we'd get a
different viewpoint there.
 
But I don't believe Cole's performance that night will put him in the
officiating Hall of Fame.
 
And that's coming from a completely unbiased viewer.
 
-----------------------------------------------
Dave Hendrickson   [log in to unmask]
Hockey East writer for US College Hockey Online
        http://www.uscollegehockey.com