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Ref Memories

   February means playoff hockey. It is an exciting time of the year as teams compete in playoff series with the winner advancing and losers going home for the remainder of the season. The longer you are in the playoffs, the better the hockey. It’s also a time when spectators follow their local team, home and away, which means the local rink is full of spectators.

   Most of the series years ago were a best of 3, be it league or MAHA playoffs. Each game seemed like a do or die affair. As an official we had the best seat in the house, being out there on the ice.

   The referee who did the first game of a series, he usually would set the tone for the series. There was a particular referee who pretty much none of us liked to follow to work the second game. It was because he never called many penalties and many of his games got out of control and a lot of silly stuff took place. I liked following Frank Taylor and Randy Kalynuk, because they set a high standard of officiating in playoff games. We all knew you had to let the teams play but not cross over the line of fairness.

   One game I was the head referee in I had followed the Referee who did not call many penalties, if any, and it was a tough game. The teams had played 2 nights earlier, so the memory was still fresh from what had happened in the previous game. I knew this going into the game, so I had my standard set before hitting the ice and I knew I could not back down in any situation.

   I talked with both team captains before the drop of the puck and told them that I knew the game before this one had gotten out of hand, but that I would not be letting that happen. Expect I would be calling it tight to start with, so you adapt to what I am doing.

   The first period, I was tested many times but stayed true to my word on what I was calling and the 2 teams changed their way of playing. It turned into a barn burner of a game, with the game being decided in overtime.

   After the game, both coaches came to the dressing room to thank the officiating crew for a job well done. We were all really high from doing a real good job. I know it took me several hours to come down from that game. It also served as a reminder that in the toughest of situations you could get through a game, no matter what had gone on in previous matches.

   Until next time!