Paul Stewart: A Christmas Blog

-In the Boston-Buff game Sat night, Buff was on a 5 on 3 losing by two in the third. One official made a horrendous slashing call on Ott when Chara's stick broke. Unfortunately it broke because he slashed Ottn not the other way around! This cut the 5 on 3, and also didn't produce a longer PP that the correct slash call on Chara would have given the Sabres.
In most sports officials will sometimes discuss a call before they put it in the books, but I never see hockey officials doing that. I know as an official (I did baseball, basketball and swimming) I would always back up my partner, but in some cases a discussion helps. Very disappointed this doesn't happen much in hockey. This call probably did effect the outcome of the game, or at least effected having an exciting one goal game conclude.
I do think the official knew he blew it as Ott threw a fit yelling and slamming the door, but didn't get an extra 10 he probably deserved. But if he knew it at that point, an honorable thing to do would have been to discuss with the other official, then announce no penalty. He would have taken some grief, but as everyone saw his mistake on the jumbotron they would have understood.

Merry Christmas Stewy to you and your family. I still remember when I got my first pair of skates my dad did almost the same thing your dad did to me. Luckily for me I still get to ref a few games with my old man!

Merry Christmas! Keep these great blogs coming, after Christmas of course.

Merry Christmas Paul. Your story choked me up a bit. I'm going to make sure I give my dad a big hug this Christmas.

Stewie Thanks for sharing that memory, and Merry Christmas,

Those Bucaneers games in the CC Coliseum were very entertaining Hockey Games granted I was pretty young but I can still remember the brawls

Thanks, all. And happy holidays.

Stewie ,Brad Watson needs to retire ,and you can take his place!

Merry Christmas Paul and to your family as well and have a Happy New Years. There were many a time we thought that you sucked as a referee but you've always been a quality/first rate human being and we hope that your sons and grandchildren make you proud as well.

Enjoyed this blog also--very nice change of pace from other hockey blogs. Look forward to more in the New Year--have a Good one!

Really enjoy the perspective from a guy who has been there done that as a player and ref.