The shokcing state of officiating in the EIHL

[mihalikrules]

Is it me or have the officals gone from bad last year to shockingly awful this year. Howcome we always get carson, hicks, nigel (the clown) bonface, and simon kirkham.

What has happend to hanson and thompson, howcome we only get the idiots mentioned above.

At times at nottingham carson was useless espcially around the boards and goal near the blaze fans. Cruckshanks cross check on carlson was pointless as was dougies interfernece penalty when he shot an tripped someone up at the same time.

He never everm notices players holding stick or trying to droptnheirs to get a penalty. e.g. ivan towards andre- andre gets pen what a suprise

[JP]

I think Carson has it in for Andre big time, he called him on anything last night. The first call was spot on, Andre was in the wrong no questions asked. But after that, i think Andre only needed to nudge one of there players and he'd be sitting for two. Very annoying!

[Monkey Harris]

Dave Cloutman should be promoted to the EIHL officals list as he receives very high praise from all fans from the EPL.

I have only had the pleasure of watching him officate once (IOW V Peterbourgh) and he called everything spot on and even lets fights run their course and not getting his linesman to break them up before they start, this often lets the players get it out of their system and very often leads to a cleaner better game.

[JAC]

I actually thought Carson reffed the panthers game well. He let the game flow fairly well, he did miss some stuff for both teams but in general not too many complaints.

Payette took 3 penalties in the game and all were deserved, punching the guy as he checked him on the 1st, grabbing and pulling the panthers player stick out of his hand, 3rd in the melee near the end of the 3rd where he was one of the main culprits in the pushing, shoving and face washing.

I did feel sorry for Doug though as how he got called for tripping when he checked the player I don't know, and then he got called for interference when he was trying to shoot the puck.

[Andy Martin 88]

We can safly say that the reffing is a real problem, its costing games. They should really get it sorted out! Watever we seem to do we always get crap refs. We sometimes catch them on a good day. But its not good enough. We some security that we are going to be watching a FAIR game. Maybe us , the fans, could get a backing of other fans and teams to send off to the elitle league and get it sorted!!!

[King Rich]

I don't like it when people say that all the refs are awful, because on the night when they genuinely ARE awful, our voices aren't heard and people just think it's the same old sheep, always bleating.

There's only one referee (NB) in the EIHL that I feel isn't up to the job. Up until last weekend I hadn't seen Hicks on an off-night, and Carson and Kirkham have also reffed very well at times. Carson did a fine job yesterday, only a couple of weirdies.

[hatman dave]

Carson last night was the best I've seen him for a while, hicksy is great apart from seemingly being blind and the less said about NB the better. At the top level in football the refs have to resit a refereeing test 'so-to-speak' every 4-5 years, to ensure they are worthy of being where they are. Even if this isn't the same in ice hockey the EIHL has put supervisers out watching performances and making notes, more so than others in certain steelers games on m onday i'm led to beleive. At the end of the day they cannot overrule a match decision because think of the mayhem it would cause. Everyone would be complaining about the odd two minutes that 'could' have led to an EH goal or PP goal depending on wether it should/shouldn't have been given. We just have to put up with the slight inconsistency between refs. In their fairness though - I don't see many others stepping forwards to try and take their place...

[JAC]

Actually to be fair to Boniface this season he has reffed 2 blaze games this season really well, and some of the others ok. IMO he's still not a great but everybody is quick to jump on him when he has a bad game, but when he refs well nothing is said.

[hatman dave]

probably coz it doesn't happen much

[sixreasons]

I was all in favour when the lockout started of bringing over at least a few N.H.L refs, so they can show people how your ment to do it.As our refs at the mo seem to be people they must of found wandering the street, for all the knowledge of the game they appear to have.Granted its not the easiest job but they seem to make it harder than it needs to be.

[Carpo]

Just a quick FYI thing... A Press release from the NHL Officials Assoiciation..

====
NHLOA News Release
Thursday, September 16, 2004

With the possibility of a disruption of the upcoming NHL Regular Season, the NHLOA would like all Amatuer and Professional Hockey Officials to know that our Membership will NOT replace any fellow Officials in any League, if NHLOA Members are without work.

We recognize the importance of supporting our fellow Officials and will not infringe on any part of their livelihood and continued development as Officials in the event of our members being without work.

We are hopeful that the League and Players will reach a settlement on the current CBA Negotiations, but felt it important to make all Officials aware of our position in the event that an agreement is not in place.

We would like to wish all Officials in every League continued success and good health for the upcoming season.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Walkom

NHLOA President

====

How bad are the refs?

Hmmm i have to say i must be in the minority here because i think that generally they've been alright this season. Granted there have been a few dodgy games but from what i've seen i think it's been alright certainly not as bad as some other people think!

[JAC]

Carpo said:

Hmmm i have to say i must be in the minority here because i think that generally they've been alright this season. Granted there have been a few dodgy games but from what i've seen i think it's been alright certainly not as bad as some other people think!

I agree, with the exception of a few games i think the standard of reffing has been better this season than it was last.

[Claret & Blue Army]

I tend to rate Carson & Hanson as the best two refs personally

[BigUsh]

Not really wanting to open a massive can of worms here but how can any Blaze fan seriously say Hicks cost them the game on Monday??

The red light came on so the puck must have crossed well before the end of play or your lights arent rigged right..... either way its a goal. Whats Hicks supposed to do wash it out and assume the lights arent working right??

He did his fair share during the game for you lot!!

Adams absolutely hysterical 2 min for delaying the game being a prime example!!!

Ush

[Lee Francis]

Joel#32 said:

Dave Cloutman should be promoted to the EIHL officals list as he receives very high praise from all fans from the EPL.

I have only had the pleasure of watching him officate once (IOW V Peterbourgh) and he called everything spot on and even lets fights run their course and not getting his linesman to break them up before they start, this often lets the players get it out of their system and very often leads to a cleaner better game.

To be fair #32, Cloutman used to officiate in the BNL along with other Referees such as Glen Meier (Worst ever), and i don't think he was up to it then. Christ knows what he'd be like in the (Slightly) higher levelled EIHL.