Paul Stewart: Linesman Appreciation Day: From Thor to Bob's Big Boy to 42nd Street Cops

Leon "No Whistle" Stickle BLAHHH!!!

Leon "No Whistle" Stickle BLAHHH!!!
- jtb3rd

The blown offside in the 1980 Finals was unfortunate. But it was a first-period call in an OT game. It didn't cost the Flyers the Stanley Cup. Their inability to handle the Islanders' power play throughout the series was the number one factor.

Stickle was an excellent linesman for the most part. He also willingly owned up to the mistake on the offside. I don't recall Pete Peeters publicly taking the blame for any soft goals in that series, and he let in a few.

Great stuff , per usual, Stewy!

I was lucky enough to meet and enjoy a few beverages with Brian (and his linesman partner that night, Lonnie Cameron) after a game 2 years ago. My Friend's college roomate was one of the officials that night and I got to visit the stripes' dressing room after the game. Following that, we moved to a local establishment for some food & beverages. Along the way, there were numerous stories about players, hockey, and life as a referee. It became obvious that they are not much different at all than us. Like any lifetime hockey fan (and men's league player), I have have complained countless times about calls against my team. This experience helped me to see NHL refs much differently. It was a treat to spend time with them and I look forward to doing so again soon.

My only problem with linesmen is when they mess around at the faceoff dot. Just drop the (frank)ing puck.

My only problem with linesmen is when they mess around at the faceoff dot. Just drop the (frank)ing puck.
- doon

Its probably one of the hardest things to do. Get grown men to stop cheating and have a fair faceoff.

Its probably one of the hardest things to do. Get grown men to stop cheating and have a fair faceoff.
- Stripes77

What about the move where the linesman seems to take an extra second or 2 to drop the puck just on purpose, one of the few things I agree with Cherry on.