Can anyone give a reason why this would be a bad thing? Is there some invisible quality of hockey that is lost if players weren't allowed to crosscheck at all like the rulebook says? This is one of those things where people turn a blind eye to it based on "It's just the way it is" without having an actual reason for it to be that way.

I mean is there anyone who watches hockey for the cross checks? Anyone who sits in front of their tv like, "oMg u see that crosscheck bro?!? that was so sick!!!!"

Personally I'd rather see the Bergeron/Datsyuk type takeaways without cross checks then the Avery version.
- Izzo

Hab and Isles fans...Just sayin.

I never want to hear the words Game Management again, for as long as I live. For those not familiar the idea is this; Team X gets penalized on a bad call so later in the game the refs will call a bad penalty on Team Y to even things out.

This isn't game management. Game management is using the whistle as a deterrent, so as to establish a natural flow to the game without too many interruptions or too many infractions - maintaining that delicate balance in between so that players are playing hard, doing fringe activity, but not outright preventing scoring activity.

That balance is disrupted in the playoffs because players play harder and more competitively in the playoffs... so refs (and nobody really agrees to this) put their whistle away and allow teams to cheat. They actually FAIL at game management that fans start talking about them the next day. I repeat: this isn't game management but the failure to manage a game.

I like game management - the point isn't to call every penalty to see, but to keep teams from committing them in the first place through clear communication and establishing standards in the first period. This will make it so the game doesn't seem constantly interrupted by officiating (and their egos).

One thing I definitely don't want in the game is "by the letter of the law" legalism, which will make it so soulless and joyless that I'd rather watch paint dry. The human element is what makes things interesting, even if it's a wrestle for balance.

The point is that no one can ever make a set of rules that'll be universally adhered to, so the system gets tinkered with until there's equilibrium. Refs have been failing lately in the postseason (this year and for the last 12 - 15 years) where they've taken special teams out of the game.

Your team hasn't even played an official league game yet and you are already complaining about the reffing.
- leonkennedy

I just want to fit in with everyone else.

But if you outlaw cross-checking someone from behind then Shea Weber wouldn't be hard to play against.

Also: I completely agree .. and felt the same way when he was our captain.

That's not 'hockey', it's borderline assault.

I think any league which has a chant of "REF YOU SUCK!!!!!" coming out of all team arenas at least 5-6 times per game, every game, should really be getting the hint by this point. But it's the NHL, so nope.

The thing that is so frustrating about it is how blatant it is now compared with 2-3 years ago when they really started some legit crackdown efforts on issues like headshots, kneecapping, flying elbows, etc.

Cross checking and these stupid pick interference plays all teams/players are running now are just stupid.

But at the same time, the refs continue to feel the pressure of 'Well, one screw up and Im done, if I call a penalty I may ruin the game, better to just let the players play and let God sort it out. Punch to the back of the head fifteen times never hurt no one. Oh and now theyère kicking each other with skates on? Well thats just legit self defence to some mild adrenaline-infused roughhousing that would in any other context be considered assault and battery. Derp deeee derrrrrrrrrrrrpp...."

Give them the idea they actually have the power to enforce without being fired for controversies beyond their control and you may see the quality improve in what gets enforced.

I was at a game one day and I was sitting near the ice and the ref was looking in my direction so I didnt say one word I took off my glasses and I was waving my glasses at him. I will never forget the look he gave me it was priceless.