Interacting with On-Ice Officials in Adult League

[hunterphfr 12]

Officiating at my rink pretty much sucks most of the time. Refs that don't know the rules, choose to ignore the rules, can't keep up with the play and are a zone behind where they should be, refs that play in the same league, refs that make calls they shouldn't and ignore ones they should. This is further compounded by a league coordinator who's only real concern is that your teams league fees are paid.

My interaction with the officials has ebbed and flowed over the years with my frustration level. I can skate to the box without a word or I can really go off if I think the situation warrants it. I got hit from behind into the boards head first from about 4' away and retaliated with a slash. I got called for the slash and there was no call for the hit from behind. At the time I was suffering from pretty severe chronic back pain and I went off on the ref due to the dangerous nature of the hit. (When I went to put my helmet on next game I realized it had a crack running from the top of the head to the base of the skull.) It got pretty heated and I basically unpolitely told him he could provide me with a service on my manhood. I of course got thrown out. At the ensuing faceoff our center looked up at him and said "so does that mean you aren't going to $@/! his #!%£"? The ref just stood there speechless.

One of our guys played at a pretty high level and is very adamant about never discussing anything with the officials. I can't even remember what mistake the officials had made anymore but it was pretty obvious. I was discussing it with the officials and he was trying to,get me to skate away and let it go. The refs agreed and corrected their mistake. I went back to our bench and he chastised me and told me you are never going to get the refs to admit they were wrong or correct their mistake. I with a smug look on my face informed him that I had just done both. He looked at me like a knowing father would and said that's exactly what they want you to think, but they're already planning out how they'll make you pay for it in the third.

[chippa13 1844]

Depending on what level you are playing in, I find it ridiculous that someone would get a misconduct with an interaction with a ref. I understand that its a physical game and that you may scrap a little with an opponent (fighting seems like too much) but with a ref that means you are going to far. Most of us have families, kids, jobs, and other things going on to where playing hockey is much less important in the grand scheme of things.

We all know how far is too far when it comes to riding a ref. Golden rule: treat them how you would want to be treated. You may get the same in return.

More often than not, this is true and nothing is ever said that crosses any lines. However, sometimes you get that horrible and/or confrontational ref and tempers rise. To this day, I am still not sure which is worse, the ref who is just plain terrible or the ref who was a division 3 hero that just has to be a dick.

[hunterphfr 12]

Depending on what level you are playing in, I find it ridiculous that someone would get a misconduct with an interaction with a ref. I understand that its a physical game and that you may scrap a little with an opponent (fighting seems like too much) but with a ref that means you are going to far. Most of us have families, kids, jobs, and other things going on to where playing hockey is much less important in the grand scheme of things.

We all know how far is too far when it comes to riding a ref. Golden rule: treat them how you would want to be treated. You may get the same in return.

I've seen more misconducts from interaction with a ref than I have for fighting over the last 7 years at my current rink. We play in a pretty physical beer league with a pretty repetitive schedule which allows both friendships and animosity to flourish on and off between the teams. Dropping the gloves is not a regular occurrence, but doesn't seem out of the ordinary either. I've never seen anyone physically threaten or intimidate a ref. but I've seen many a player unload on one verbally. The first comment or 2 will get you an extra 2 and then turfed. The refs have adapted and learned that if the tirade continues adding games can bring things under control pretty quickly. Record so far sits at 8 games because the guy just couldn't walk away, had to have the last word.

My teams also have quite a few firemen and EMS workers, we work odd schedules that require us to miss games. The fact that an individual knows he'll be on duty or vacation the next game or 2 provides him with the ability to take liberties someone who would be sitting at home on the couch next game might think twice about.