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Ref Memories

 When out on the ice officiating a game, sometimes you hear some things said that are just downright funny. Such was the case in a game between the Elkhorn Canadians and a visiting team who shall remain nameless as well as the player’s name to protect them from any embarrassment. This was during a South West Hockey League game. So, this is what occurred during a stoppage of play.

    Dennis Kyle who was a great hockey player as well as a great ball player and an even better person, was the man who used this situation to an advantage for his team.

On this particular night, I am assessing a penalty for tripping. Let us refer to the other player involved as Jack Tripper. Sounds original, right?  Elkhorn was leading the  game by a score of 4-1 at the time the infraction was called. The infraction happened right in front of the penalty box. My arm goes up to call, I blow the whistle and give the signal for tripping. Jack Tripper just looks at me, says nothing because it is a no doubt penalty. Jack is about to enter the penalty box when out of nowhere comes Dennis Kyle skating quickly toward me, and he is in a hurry. Denny said to me Gerry, don’t call that penalty. I said I have to call the penalty; it was an obvious tripping penalty. Denny says yes, I know but please just let it go this one time. I said no I have to call the penalty. At this point Jack Tripper and Denny Kyle and I are all around the referee crease which would make us about three feet apart from each other. Denny repeats himself about not calling the penalty and so I say to Denny, Why do you not want me to call the penalty. Jack Tripper is also all ears on this as well. Denny replies that their power play is not working very well tonight but when Jack Tripper is on the ice we have scored all 4 of our goals while he is on the ice! If he stays on we will probably score some more goals. When Denny repeated his statement he had a smirk on his face. Well Jack Tripper was very upset at Dennis. For the rest of the night, Jack was off his game completely and I believe he was actually on the ice for six of the Elkhorn goals that night. Whenever the opportunity arose, Jack was chasing Dennis down, but never did catch him. What a line by Dennis and quick thinking as well to come up with that one liner!

    After the game is over and both clubs have shaken hands, both teams as well as the officials are having a beer after the game up at the Elkhorn hotel. To everyone’s surprise, here is Jack Tripper and Denny Kyle sitting at the same table having a beer. I believe Denny bought it for Jack and they were having a laugh about the whole thing.

    This said a lot to all of us, you compete hard against one another for sixty minutes and then the buzzer goes to end the game. Time to visit and enjoy the evening and each other’s company. Is that not the way it is supposed to be after a senior hockey league game? Everyone has to work the next day, senior hockey is a working man’s hockey league. What a memory! Thanks, Denny, for giving me some great memories of not only that night but by the way you played the game. I was fortunate to watch Dennis play many times and he never disappointed me. We miss you, Dennis! One of the great men, who left us way too early!