Reffing the score?

Question

Do you think the refs ref the score? Like if a team is up big, they'll be looking out for more penalties against them and not a lot against the other team... ya know, reffing the score.

I've noticed alot of it in this playoffs. I know they (Bettman) wants a high-scoring close game, but if a penalty is a penalty for one team, its the same for the other...

Have you guys noticed this or am I crazier than I think?

Answer 1

No I don't think they do any longer.  Did you watch game 2?  The Penguins received 11 penalties in the third period to the Red Wings 5.  (I am not disputing whether they were deserved, just pointing out the numbers.)  In game 1, the third period penalties were even at one for each team.

This was a pretty common practice in the old days.  At my first national tournament and national level officiating camp (1992) they instructed us to call the game that way, tighten up on the winning team and loosen the reigns on the losing team in the hope of making the game competitive again.  That has all changed.  I worked two nationals and a showcase tournament this season.  The approach of the officials and supervisors has done a complete 180 degree turn in the last 16 years because of the changes implemented by the NHL.  The difference between the two games was that the Penguins lost their composure a little bit in game two.

The new standard of enforcement has changed the way the game is called.  Those days of helping the losing team are behind us.  The officials are instructed (and critiqued) based on the consistency they show calling a game.

Answer 2

I hate to remind all the bettman-bashing folks out here but this has been going on since I was a lil one myself.  I remember hearing my dad talk about it and learning all kinds of new language.  This reffing by score is nothing new, as it was going on when Bettman was a mere child as well.

Answer 3

i think that they do sometimes, less often in professional hockey because if they s***w up the could lose their job, but in amateur hockey they do all the time and it makes me pissed

Answer 4

yea, i have noticed it the whole season. the refs involve themselves in the game to much. call the penalties that are penalties and stop calling stupid little taps on the wrist and calling that a hook. the refs sometimes can really ruin a game.

Answer 5

obviously they do but they shouldnt

refs should not interfere with the score

Answer 6

It happens, although not consciously.  The refs don't say, "I'm going to call this because the teammis behind 2-0."  BUT --- subconsciously, it is human nature not to want to be the determining factor, so if a team is behind the "grey areas" might go in their favor a little bit.  And there are obvious reputation calls (i.e. Holstrom's butt).  But it's not conscious.

This hasn't changed in decades - it has always been this way.