1. Situational or circumstantial officiating! What better way to ensure that a lopsided or slightly out of reach game becomes a nail biter? Referees and umpires have been implementing this strategy for years and I speculate that the order comes from league higher-ups. The NBA has perfected it to a degree where the home teams coincidentally win 80% of the time. Twice the number of free throws for one team undoubtedly will have an impact on the overall score. Fans love going to games where they are almost assured that their guys will emerge victorious. The league wins, the fans win, and television networks win. Its brilliant planning. Moreover, just imagine FAUX offsides or face mask penalties in the NFL.
2. The NHL's model has been modified several times in recent years. Examples include whistles being eaten in the third period, annoying even-up calls, increased 5 on 3s, and phantom "behind the play" infractions. Well, here's my new take on the pitiful state of referees consciously attempting to manipulate outcomes. Be mindful, that I have no scientific data or empirical studies backing me up here, its just a trend that seems obvious lately.
3. I will use the Buffalo-Ranger game the other evening as my example. The speedy Sabres dominated on the scoreboard in both shots on goal and scoring. Those who watched the game noticed a strong effort by the Sabres, particularly in 5 on 5 situations. However, when checking the power play ledger, I found that the Rangers enjoyed two additional manpower advantages. While I don't mean to single this game out, I have seen this absurd circumstance occur more and more. There's no logic to this, other than to keep the games close.
4. I look forward to your feedback - agree or disagree with the intent, but keep an eye on the stats. ANTZ signing off!!!
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15 years ago
10 comments:
1) Yes, somehow the Rangers got 8 power plays in a game that they were totally out played!
2) It should be mentioned though that the Rangers were on the road, so if there is an NHL version of the NBA rules it must differ in its implementation.
3) Perhaps officials are told to keep it close? Hard to imagine they are, but what else can explain the happenings that Antz interestingly outlined?
not to be a whiney habs fan..check the habs boards, man a lot of bitching about the refs this year....but my team does seem to get alot of penalties called against it late in the 3rd when they are up by a goal or two...personally i blame a panicked defence core (namely souray).
i think refs should call the game the right way, homer refreeing, even up calls, swallowing the puck in the third or overtime (which hasn't, been the case against my team this year), all smack of cheating...is hockey a true sport, or sports entertainment..whats next, are the winning teams going to be asked to let in a coupla cheapy goals for the sake of a close game....bollocks.
1) It seems the officiating is 'situational.' We have all seen the 'even up' penalty to a team that has had too many PP's. The offending team is called for the most minor of an infraction to even the PP score
2) Is this a league mandate or just human nature? We would hope its the ladder, and if it is it should be dealt with by the league. Though don't hold our breathe to hear anyone in the NHL admit that they have an officiating problem
well seems the big wigs at the top like 20 powerplays a game...the whole more scoring arguement...although i agree with some of the new obstruction call rules...i'd much rather see a relatively penalty free, high tempo 3-2 game, than a penalty filled, whistle every 2 minutes 7-6 game any day...hey maybe i am old school.
Perhaps in the example the Sabres simply committed more infractions?
I find it hard to believe there would be a conspiracy to 'fix' games at the league or officials level...this would destroy the league...NBA, MLB, NFL, ZRQ, CBA, ABC, 123 whatever.
Perhaps officials are more apt to letting things go a bit more in a close game...afterall we keep hearing fans shout for the players to decide games...but to imply some league implementation...a bit extreme!
The so called even up calls on 'minor infractions'...the keyword is infractions. I have seldom seen a penalty called on something that didn't happen. I have seen officials make mistakes, sometimes even call things they didn't see properly (ie. First period Leafs/Flame the other night...tripping penalty called when replay clearly showed Flame player made no contact with leaf player...the Leaf tripped on the ice). But I hardly think this was some kind of plot...simply a ref not in the best position making a call on what he 'thought' happened, not what actually happened!
1. "Fix" is a strong word NUTZ, and I didn't mean to imply fixing, just a league preference to increase scoring and fan interest. My comment of manipulating outcomes is more in the context of adding late game drama. This is EXACTLY the kind of debate I am hoping to inspire. All feedback is always appreciated.
2. Pinko, I must make it a priority to watch more Habs games. I have been aware of Souray's liabilities for a while now. Focusing on defensive blunders can actually be highly entertaining (maybe not so much if its with a rooting interest). Mathieu Biron, Tom Poti, Janne Niinimaa, etc. have been particular favorites of mine.
1) Its the apparent arbitrariness of some calls that annoys players, coaches, and fans a lot.
2) What was a penalty in the first period isn't in the third. If you're ahead, be careful to do nothing wrong else you know you're going to be whistled. If you're behind you seem to be given more lee-way
3) Imagine in baseball that umpires called balls and strikes that way? If you're winning the strike zone gets 50% larger. In football if you're winning you might be flagged for interference even on running plays. ; )
Last night Flyers drubbed 9-1, and if anyone saw it, it could have been 20-1 yet somehow the sabres managed only one more PP.
early in the year, the refs are following their marching orders which are to call any or all obstruction penalties....hopefully, as the season wears on the refs will chill out a bit and let the game flow ... 15 powerplays in the habs-flames game lastnight...had to scratch your head at about half of them. try as they might the refs couldn't ruin that game..it was a thriller start to finish.
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