Paul Stewart: The 'Montreal Factor' and Refereeing

Awesome Blog!

You know Savard could have done all kinds of nasty things to that pizza. Thanks for clearing up those myths. I read the TSN comments and it seems that some people have nothing better to do with their time than to go on a Habs game boxscore to see if they had more powerplays than the opposition so they can troll.

Good read! Thanks Paul, contribute as much as possible!

Awesome blog! Enjoyed this read very much! Keep it up!

Hi Paul. I remember a few seasons ago there was an issue with one of the Canucks (Kesler maybe?) accusing a ref of saying he was going to "get him" or something to that extent after the player kind of embarrassed the ref on another call. Sure enough, he had a soft call against him later in the game. Do you find that just too far fetched to believe or is that something that can actually happen in a game?

Furthermore, how hard do refs take it when a guy embarrasses them on a call by diving or selling an injury? Is that something that's looked at as part of the job or do you think some guys take it personally?

Was it good pizza? Did you share it with Mr. Asselstine?

I am really enjoying your blogs so far. One question I do have though is that with all of the advancements in technology why do the refs mikes still sound like someone listening to a drive up window speaker with their window rolled up?

Typical Montreal!

Fantastic read and I can't wait for the next one..

Everyone is human and unfortunately even ref's can get swayed by human emotion. It's hard NOT to be affected by 18,000 fans' emotional outburst on a trip here, an elbow there, so-on-and-so-forth. There will always be that micro-second of a moment in the back of the mind that can get swayed when your arm is ready to go up but you're not so sure about the call.

I'm not buying it Paul. I see it every year when watching Hab's games. It may only happen once or twice during the limited amount of games I watch in Montreal but it happens.

It's not blatantly obvious in other cities but in Montreal it is...

Fantastic read and I can't wait for the next one..

Everyone is human and unfortunately even ref's can get swayed by human emotion. It's hard NOT to be affected by 18,000 fans' emotional outburst on a trip here, an elbow there, so-on-and-so-forth. There will always be that micro-second of a moment in the back of the mind that can get swayed when your arm is ready to go up but you're not so sure about the call.

I'm not buying it Paul. I see it every year when watching Hab's games. It may only happen once or twice during the limited amount of games I watch in Montreal but it happens.

It's not blatantly obvious in other cities but in Montreal it is...
- Pairo11

Haha you must not have read his blog... you know a few years back mtl was one of the most penalized teams in the league. Big teams are easy to hate, specially by fans that support marginal at best teams like the sabres. B4 the sabres which teams did you support or follow?

Excellent blog Stewy! Thanks for answering my question!

Love reading these blogs...very entertaining...keep them going...

Haha you must not have read his blog... you know a few years back mtl was one of the most penalized teams in the league. Big teams are easy to hate, specially by fans that support marginal at best teams like the sabres. B4 the sabres which teams did you support or follow?
- munky123

I read the blog and didn't necessarily agree with it. I have no hate for the Hab's. Being one of the most penalized teams in the league has nothing to do with the point Stewart is making and I'm refuting. It just means they were undisciplined.

I was born in 1967. Therefore I have never supported any other team.

Awesome blogs Paul. I can't wait for the one on diving, because it seems to be getting worse, and no rationale to what is called and what isn't.

the powerplay is the only thing that keeps the habs competitive... without it, they might have to move the team to Quebec

Paul,

When I was a kid watching the Blackhawks in the '60s if #2 (John Ashley) was the ref and the opponent was Montreal, especially in the Forum, I knew that the Hawks were in for a tough night.

Paul,

When I was a kid watching the Blackhawks in the '60s if #2 (John Ashley) was the ref and the opponent was Montreal, especially in the Forum, I knew that the Hawks were in for a tough night.
- KingB

Maybe if your GM would deliver free pizza to the refs after the game...

the powerplay is the only thing that keeps the habs competitive... without it, they might have to move the team to Quebec
- Rockhead_37

Yes, that's why the Habs were 4th in the NHL last year at 5 on 5, currently 6th this year. They were 29th 2 years ago and finished last in the conference. It's all about the PP of course....Mr rockhead

I was delighted Stewie -- but not at all surprised -- that you would specifically mention Bill Dineen as one of those coaches that you could hold a serious and civil conversation with during a game. "The Fox" is one of the very best people in the game as are his five sons, former NHL players Kevin (coach of the Florida Panthers), Peter (a Columbus Blue Jackets pro scout), Gord (AHL Toronto Marlies assistant coach), and former minor pro players Shawn (a Nashville Predators pro scout) and Jerry (the New York Rangers video coach). Like Gordie Howe, his former Detroit Red Wings teammate from 1953 to 1958, and his sons Mark and Marty (all three of whom Bill also coached in the WHA), it is extraordinary hockey people like the Dineens and the Howes that make our game so special. Now 81, Bill lives in retirement in Glen Lake, NY, near where he had coached the AHL Adirondack Red Wings from 1983 to 1989 winning the Calder Cup twice (1986 and 1989). He was also recently named as a 2013 inductee to the AHL Hall of Fame.


Biil "The Fox" Dineen and son, Kevin

Paul do not stop writing these, fantastic reads and great insight to the life of an official. Very much appreciated and enjoy them immensely

I loved the blog.

That being said, Burrows got slammed every game last year but cannot ever buy a call. Burrows and Kesler cleaned up their game and Lapierre is gone.... but the Canucks are still looked at as divers.

I call Shenanigans. There is a bias.

I loved the blog.

That being said, Burrows got slammed every game last year but cannot ever buy a call. Burrows and Kesler cleaned up their game and Lapierre is gone.... but the Canucks are still looked at as divers.

I call Shenanigans. There is a bias.
- Beatle_john

Yes, players who develop a reputation for embellishing can create a bias against themselves. Like Paul says refs have long memories.

Great Read!