Cheap shot bastards/ Terrible refs

[Fletch 219]

So last night I am playing in a league game. We were playing the best team in the league, but it's only 4 games into the season and they haven't faced us yet. About 5 minutes in I get a goal off a snap shot from the slot and at the end of the first it's 3-0. Then in the second period we bust out and score 5 straight goals to make it 8-0.

It's near the end of the second and we're in their zone. One of our guys takes a shot from the point, but it goes wide, rings around the boards and clears the zone. I was headed toward the net when this happened, so I start to go behind their net and head out of the zone when one of their guys gets his stick up on to my cage. I say "watch your f-cking stick, assh-le" after he hits me, and I keep skating. Then the guy spears me in the back as I'm skating away.

I stop up, turn around and push him with both hands. He does the same right back to me and we're jawing at each other. Then I hear someone skating up fast behind me. I turn around and it's one of their big older guys charging toward me. He socks me in the face (cage) and then whacks me again with his other hand. Then I have the original guy punching me too as the refs jump in.

I say "What the f-ck was that??" and they're both saying stuff to me. I call him a pussy as the ref escorts me to the box.

So the penalties are handed out- I get two minutes for high-sticking, and the guy who I originally got into it with (only) gets two minutes for high-sticking as well. The guy who was the third man in gets five for fighting and an automatic game misconduct.

What pisses me off is this -

We didn't even get a power play from the guy getting the five for fighting. The ref told me "he's gone from the game and suspended for the next one. What more do you want?" I responded with "I want a f-cking power play!" The guy I originally got into it with had a 2 minute penalty that offset with mine. Then the other guy gets a five minute major and we don't even see a power play from it? WTF is that? We spent the next 3 minutes going back and forth on this, with him repeatedly trying to justify his stance.

I know it was 8-0, but it's the principle of it all that kills me. I friggin' hate when refs call the game "their" way instead of calling it like they should, calling it the right way. I ended up with a goal and three assists and we beat them 11-3. I also have a nice raspberry near my left eye to show from it (the wire on my cage got me when the guy punched my face).

Sorry for the rant, but it's just on my mind and I needed to vent.

[Michael9 57]

That also really pisses me off when you don't even get a power play, the guy would be better of getting a 2 minute and a game, then atleast you would would be getting a power play.

[Adam91 0]

When you get 5 and a game its supposed to be a powerplay as well

[Michael9 57]

When you get 5 and a game its supposed to be a powerplay as well

no it's not cause a 5 is considered a major

[sherwood21 0]

Last weekend a guy got 5 and a game so I am presuming that it is the rule, that you should get a powerplay, seeing as the team we were playing ogt a 5 min. PP.

at least you won

[Michael9 57]

i guess i'll have to go read my rule book again

[Eazy_b97 1]

i guess i'll have to go read my rule book again

Most 5 minute major, especially in non-pro leagues, come with a game misconduct. It's a 5 min major, for that penalty, and a game a misconduct. Did you see the game sheet Fletch? Sounds like they may have just given the guy misconducts and not a fighting major. The 5 minutes should stand, and I'm talk to the convenor, just to make sure if this situation happens again, its handled properly.

[Fletch 219]

i guess i'll have to go read my rule book again

Most 5 minute major, especially in non-pro leagues, come with a game misconduct. It's a 5 min major, for that penalty, and a game a misconduct. Did you see the game sheet Fletch? Sounds like they may have just given the guy misconducts and not a fighting major. The 5 minutes should stand, and I'm talk to the convenor, just to make sure if this situation happens again, its handled properly.

Nah, I didn't see the scoresheet...

The officials at this particular rink are shit, pure and simple. Everytime I think the refs in SoCal can't get worse, I am unpleasantly surprised.

[KingPest19 0]

Fletch where in SoCal were you playing?

[kosydar 0]

As a ref, I know that I've screwed up many times when it comes to dealing with what the man situation should be after multiple penalties have been assessed. Its something that even the best refs can slip up on from time to time. Believe it or not, it is very difficult to figure these things out in a split second with people on both sides bitching in both your ears. Plus, many adult leagues play by different rules, and sometimes a ref will get mistaken and call it a way which is correct in one league, but not in another. However, if there is one thing that is worse for the game as a whole than a ref blatantly missing a call, it is him reversing his decision after being yelled at by a player. All this does is make the team who benefitted from the change think that they can control the ref, and the team who lost out by the change think that the ref is favoring the other team. Refs make mistakes, and it sucks. But at least in your case you were fortunate enough for it not to change the outcome of the game. For the most part, refs will admit that they've screwed up, just never during games.

[Jason Harris 31]

During the second game I reffed, I had an incident that could have been real embarassing, but I got very lucky.

I saw a trip or something, so I put up my arm. However, the play continued for at least thirty to forty-five seconds, when I suddenly realized, "Oh, geez, who's the penalty on???" Being so new, I never thought about taking the guy's number, because usually the play stops eight seconds later.

Finally, the team gains possession and I'm wondering how I'm going to get out of this without pissing off both teams, when a guy skates up to me and asks, "Are you going to call that on me??" As I skated to look at the back of this jersey, I said, "Yes I am.....number.....nine....." ;)

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Lol, salmings, The same thing happen to me like 2 years ago when I was refering in a league. I was so nervous but the guy went to the bench without telling a word and I got very lucky because I didn't remember his number.

[Fletch 219]

Fletch where in SoCal were you playing?

Yorba Linda Ice Palace

[chippa13 1844]

I've missed the number a couple of times in my years and years of reffing. It just happens, either because play continues so long you honestly forget the number or because there is a crowd and you just don't get the number. The best way to solve it is to pick the guy you think it was and go with that. As long as you don't show indecision or confusion you should have no problem. If you grabbed the wrong guy they'll usually carp for a couple seconds. Sometimes the real guilty party steps up or they'll just tell the innocent guy it was their's the next chance they get.

A good way to avoid this is to point at the guilty player while play is still going on.

[Fletch 219]

As a ref, I know that I've screwed up many times when it comes to dealing with what the man situation should be after multiple penalties have been assessed. Its something that even the best refs can slip up on from time to time. Believe it or not, it is very difficult to figure these things out in a split second with people on both sides bitching in both your ears. Plus, many adult leagues play by different rules, and sometimes a ref will get mistaken and call it a way which is correct in one league, but not in another. However, if there is one thing that is worse for the game as a whole than a ref blatantly missing a call, it is him reversing his decision after being yelled at by a player. All this does is make the team who benefitted from the change think that they can control the ref, and the team who lost out by the change think that the ref is favoring the other team. Refs make mistakes, and it sucks. But at least in your case you were fortunate enough for it not to change the outcome of the game. For the most part, refs will admit that they've screwed up, just never during games.

I agree for the most part, but this situation wasn't that hard to figure out, IMO. Three guys involved, two of them had penalties that offset, the other got a major- so one team gets a 5 minute powerplay because of that major.

If there was 5 or 6 guys involved, then yeah I can see things getting confusing. But three guys? Come on.

The guys that ref at this rink are brutal....especially the one who was arguing with me.

I also had been leg whipped earlier in the game and they didn't call it. Everyone on my bench was wondering why, and the same ref skated by and said "If I called that, I would have gone home and sold all my equipment."

What a douchebag.

[Chadd 916]

If he was just given the penalty for being the "first additional player" it's a game misconduct and there would be no major penalty on the board. If a fighting major was assessed, they dropped the ball.

Last night I had a major on one guy on team A for starting a fightand a minor for checking then a double minor on a guy on team B for participating in the scrum, but not throwing punches while a second guy on team B got the first additional player penalty.

[Fletch 219]

If he was just given the penalty for being the "first additional player" it's a game misconduct and there would be no major penalty on the board. If a fighting major was assessed, they dropped the ball.

Yeah, the ref gave him 5 for fighting (for throwing the punches at me) and a game. So I guess they did drop the ball....but they'll never admit it.

[roadrunner 12]

Sorry Fletch but I'm going to join you in you rant on officiating.

Last night we had a game against the first place team. First period was decent it finished 2-2 and was hard fought by both sides. The 2nd starts of with a call on our goalie as one of their forwards calls him for wearing jewellry(an earing)(this is Tier 2 Ball hockey) There's always been a warning but whatever its refs discretion. On the PK one of our forwards

takes it down to their end, as he was running down one of their guys intentionally runs our guy and slips. We get called for contact. 5 on 3, they score. Next one of there guys elbows me clearly infront of the ref in the chest in our defensive zone as were breaking out(i didn't even have possession) No call. The ref said he didn't see it cause he was looking to see if anyone was in the crease. Then right before a draw a guy comes to our bench and punches my brother in the head, the ref was looking at him dead on and no call was made. We complained about that no call and got a 4min penalty(What the F+*k is going on!) They hit the crossbar on a shot on the PP and after a hesitation and play kept going the ref calls it a goal. Unbelievable. At that point we started going bezerk. We through water, bottles, and littered the floor. The ref called the game. Later we found out they are buddies with the refs. F--ing unbelievable. We are processing a complaint to the league. The thing that bugs me is that he is one of the senior officials.

Sorry for the long post. I'm steaming

[ponty 0]

This is why I only play pickup now. I actually had a ref tell me once that he wouldnt call a trip against me as I was a better skater than the other guy.

Guys beer leagues are pickup games with uni's. Its really that simple!

[Fletch 219]

Later we found out they are buddies with the refs. F--ing unbelievable.

That's another thing that absolutely drives me crazy about beer leagues- in most cases, you'll see a lot of guys buddy-buddy with the officials. I don't think that should be permitted. If you are going to ref at a rink, you should be forced to keep it professional and not be allowed to fraternize with guys you are going to be reffing for. I have even seen refs go out for beers with some teams after a game. Unbelieveable.

It's one thing to be civil and friendly, but another thing to be friends. And officials, in any sport should know where to draw the line.

[Chadd 916]

I constantly talk to both teams when I'm on the ice. I know a few people on each team and I find it helps to be on good terms with at least one or two guys per team. I wouldn't ref a game in any division I played, though I see it happen from time to time.

I've had a couple of beers with guys after I've reffed one of their games, win or loss. While I can understand how it may look, nobody has ever questioned my officiating because of it.

I did three games this week and in two of the three games had guys tell me it was the best officiated game of the season. Obviously having a good partner helps. The third game, they thanked me for keeping it from getting ugly and both teams said the calls were fair.

[Fletch 219]

If you can be friends and keep it professional/fair, then more power to you. Unfortunately, I think you're probably in the minority. Most guys around here are not able to seperate the two.

[Chadd 916]

If you can be friends and keep it professional/fair, then more power to you. Unfortunately, I think you're probably in the minority. Most guys around here are not able to seperate the two.

None are good friends, more like guys I know. I catch some shit from some of the guys about calls over the beer, but it actually helps them know what the other refs are thinking and seeing.

[chippa13 1844]

I'll clue you guys in on a little mindset as a guy who has reffed more than his share of blowouts in men's leagues. The ref really doesn't want to give powerplays to a team blowing another team out if he can help it. It could very well be that the ref decided to only give the third guy in a game misconduct after realizing a 5 minute powerplay was his other option.

Another thing. Teams that are getting killed are given a little leeway with regards to the odd hook, hold or trip. Usually, the winning team recognizes this and accepts it. It's just part of men's league hockey. Anything like a slash or rough, however, isn't exempt as that can lead to retaliation and more problems.

As a ref, it is always nice to have a rapport with the players, but the more important thing is for them to know that you are consistent and busting your ass. In the past I have done games within my own league where a team that I hated as a player and that hated me as a player were in sometimes. However, because I was always consistent, reffed a fair game, and always made sure to be where I was supposed to (sometimes even doing games solo) I never had a single problem with them, nor they with me. If they complained about a call they got a quick explanation, if one was necessary. Only once did I have to give an unsportsmanlike conduct call and that was because a moron on their bench used a little choise language after another guy on their team took a double for a highstick. The guy on the bench apparently didn't see what I saw. The victim's broken tooth, however, was vindication.

All that said, the best advice I can give to a referee to avoid grief, hustle, be in position, and be consistent. If a call needs an explanation, give a quick one. Don't go into a half hour monologue over the call and don't take anything personally. I could go on for pages about how to deal with situations and the like but you'd all get even more bored with this post.

[Chadd 916]

I'll clue you guys in on a little mindset as a guy who has reffed more than his share of blowouts in men's leagues. The ref really doesn't want to give powerplays to a team blowing another team out if he can help it. It could very well be that the ref decided to only give the third guy in a game misconduct after realizing a 5 minute powerplay was his other option.

Another thing. Teams that are getting killed are given a little leeway with regards to the odd hook, hold or trip. Usually, the winning team recognizes this and accepts it. It's just part of men's league hockey. Anything like a slash or rough, however, isn't exempt as that can lead to retaliation and more problems.

It's a fine line because the things you let go can easily escalate. I tend to make the same calls no matter the score or situation though it depends on how the winning team reacts in the blowout games.

Only once did I have to give an unsportsmanlike conduct call and that was because a moron on their bench used a little choise language after another guy on their team took a double for a highstick.  The guy on the bench apparently didn't see what I saw.  The victim's broken tooth, however, was vindication. 

How long ago was this? A double minor for a high stick hasn't been an option for a while now.

All that said, the best advice I can give to a referee to avoid grief, hustle, be in position, and be consistent.  If a call needs an explanation, give a quick one.  Don't go into a half hour monologue over the call and don't take anything personally.  I could go on for pages about how to deal with situations and the like but you'd all get even more bored with this post.

Dead-on, far too many guys don't exert any effort on the ice. I will explain a call but not have a discussion and I always tell youth coaches that before a game.