At 10:23 AM 11/2/95 -0500, James Blashill wrote: >Just a thought about the WCHA referee business. Does having two refs in >a game change the chemistry? For example, if one ref is making more >calls, would the other ref try to catch up? It seems to me that the >double ref system was tried elsewhere and discarded. I would appreciate >other viewpoints. I must say I've seen a lot more CCHA games (single-ref) in the last few years than games from the other two-ref conferences. While not willing to resurrect last year's tourney ref discussion, I've also wondered what purpose two refs serve. I understand the argument that two pairs of eyes miss fewer calls, but I've never really bought into it. Flagrant (read, injury potential) calls missed by the ref can always be covered by a linesman, as in the CCHA. However, I think a good referee sees the whole ice, much like a good player or coach does. The two-ref games I've seen appeared awkward at best, as referees are switching between line- and player-watching. I think this apparent conflict in roles leads to missed line violations and penalties. Plus, I recall two-ref games featuring a lot more officials-in-the-way-of-the-players situations than the one-ref games, where players have a better idea where the linesmen and ref will set up. Besides, the NHL seems to manage okay with one ref. Sure, there will be the occasional Ulf Samuellssen (sp?) incident. But you'll never catch everything, no matter how many refs you put on the ice. The long and short of it is this: Officials should have as little presence in a game as necessary to insure order and minimize the potential for player-inflicted injury. After all, do we really want hockey to become like football??? Just my 2 cents, as I have about that much left from my Permanent Fund check... :) Mark ___________________________________________________________________________ Mark J. Sonnier, C.P.M. Voice (907)786-6505 Purchasing Agent Fax (907)786-6515 University of Alaska Anchorage e-mail: [log in to unmask] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UAF Hockey fans say: "Look out CCHA - 'Nooks in 95 are badder than Binky!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.