Too many times this playoffs in the NHL were games decided by the refs. Whether it be the missed call in Boston in game 5 that lead to the Blues taking a 2-0 lead or the infamous Sharks/Vegas game 7. Something needs to change.
I understand the complaints about video review, it takes to long and often unless it is conclusive their is still a murky area that we are left with. I understand the implications of adding in more video reviews and trying to grow the game with reffing off of the ice, however aren't fans paying to see the game the right way?
When you pay for a ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs you want to see the game played by the players. You want to see your team win by outplaying an opponent, not due to a missed call. The Stanley Cup Playoffs has not been perfect by any means necessary, just watch this play for yourself.
I know we are always going to have some form of a mistake, every game is live and is just being viewed by an officiating team. However why shouldn't refs be able to say, "I want to take one more look at that one" or "Did we miss something on that call" This play above should not have happened. An official made a call after seeing a player hurt on the ground without evening seeing the "hit" occur.
When a call is made by the refs that should not have occurred it changes the game, and it actually changed the series for the Vegas Golden Knights. After going up 3-0 in game 7 a 5 minute major in the third period coughed up 4 goals. Fortunately Vegas was able to force OT but by then the narrative had flipped and San Jose won.
Here is my proposal if I am invited to the National Hockey Leagues Owner Meeting
"Referees have been awful that last few years. In the times when we have had the most eyes on the National Hockey League come playoff time we have let people down. Whether it be a blown call, or an unnecessary one something needs to change. I believe when it comes to making penalties referees on the ice should be able to take a second look at the play at hand, only when a call is made. Once making a call you can review it and decide to lesson the severity of the call, for example if a 5 minute major is called you could bring it down to a 4 minute minor or even a 2 minute minor. There is no going up and increasing the severity of a penalty.
The NHL has figured out goal review for the most part, we have it and if a team wants to challenge for goaltender interference they can, however when it comes to penalty reviews it should be left to the officials to make the call for a review.
I also believe a time limit should be enforced so that the game will carry on. TV timeouts in the NHL are 2 minutes long, if the officials are given 80 seconds to review the play and still can not come up with an alternative call then the game carries on with the call on the ice.
This is not rocket science, the current format just feels like rocket science.
From,
A disgruntled Fan"
I will email that along and let you all know the response, something needs to change from the current format for reviewing in the NHL.
