Perhaps the worst kept secret in the Elite League was officially revealed today as the league confirmed that all EIHL matches will have two referees and two linesmen.
Personally I think this is a good move, but reading the various forums around the UK hockey world there are others who feel that it isn’t so great. The usual store about referee’s ‘not being good enough’ is being wheeled out, but that’s too easy. I will readily admit that during Panthers games I am all too quick to blame the ref (as are perhaps 99% of the Panthers support), but when I’ve gone to games as a neutral (well, neutral in that I want Steelers to lose!) I’ve perhaps agreed with 90% of the referees calls! Funny that ain’t it!
The driving force behind this decision appears to be the IIHF, who will be operating a two referee system at all their tournaments this coming season, so it makes common sense that our game follows suit. There is quite rightly a concern that this may lead to shortages of officials in the levels below the Elite League, but looking longer term, more officials participating at the top level in this country can only raise the standard, can’t it?
That’s an interesting piece of new, Jono. On the face of it it sounds like a progressive step as poor officiating has been a perennial problem in UK hockey. On the other hand will it just increase the mediocrity! I wonder where all the extra official will be sought from and will it lead to an an-ever increasing problem of having too many ‘local’ stripeys officiating in games?
Take your point about watching the game as a neutral as opposed to a partizan. I think the most of us are guilty of that to a greater or lesser extent!
Stu