Mike relates some of an interview with HE asst-commish Noni Daly ... > ... That pair will work together all year long. In most of the >cases, she said, the referees have worked out between themselves who will >have the chief responsibilities, if you will, so that we will not see an >epidemic of referees contradicting each other. ... The first part I understand (working together); the "chief" part I don't: it looks like another area for referee *abuse* of the rules (as with calling the end of a close game differently). Jeez, I'd better lighten up and get in the holiday swing of things :-) > ... She also said that besides >allowing the officials to see more of the ice (each will take a zone), the >need for a referee to go from goal line to goal line is not there >anymore. A referee will usually go from the goal line in his zone to the >opposite blue line, approximately, from what I have seen. The chance of a >quick play resulting in a goal that the referee was out of position to see >is reduced. If one likes experienced refs on the ice, the 2-ref system is a great innovation because it allows a good ref to continue, even when his (are there any Division I, or NCAA for that matter, *women* referees?) skating abilities diminish. This new rule/procedure has, IMO, re-made McBride into a good ref and (I understand) brought Ned Bunyan out of retirement. Gobble gobble, wayne Wayne Smith The College Hockey Discussion List administrator Systems Group - CAPS BITNET/CREN: wts@maine University of Maine System internet: [log in to unmask]