What I think we all have to keep in mind is that referees have to make a quick decision about whether or not to make a call. Everything around them is happening at a "bang-bang" pace. This is not to excuse any bad calls, but this is what's facing them. This is especially the case when there's a lot of scrapping and clawing right in front of the net -- not to mention that it's difficult to see EXACTLY where the puck is! Ref-bashing has been a part of any sport since the beginning of time. I don't think we should hang someone if they make a bad call or, in some cases, a non-call. They may realize that they make a call when they shouldn't have or didn't make a call when they should have right after the incident that caused the ref's decision. For example, player A decks player B into the boards right as player B is about to play the puck. Boarding? Interference? Cross-checking? Say it WAS a cross-check, but the ref didn't quite think so. He may have been thinking whether or not it was a cross-check, but didn't immediately call it. He then realizes that it should have been called, but this is about 3-4 seconds after the hit occurred. Too late to call anything. Even if he does, he'll get crucified for delaying his call -- e.g., he was influenced by the home crowd or whatever. My point is that refs must make a quick decision since the flow of the game is fast-paced as it is. We can only see their perspective if we were wearing the zebra shirts. Just my .02.... =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= + Andy Weise Let's Go Tech!! [log in to unmask] + = SUNY Potsdam '93 = + Union College '95? Let's Go U!! [log in to unmask] + +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+