Paul Stewart: Focus on the Process Before the Result

In one of the Blackhawks last games before the break, the ref followed your direction on a 45 degree from the end zone dot to the net. He did an outstanding job of blocking a Hossa one-timer into an empty net

In one of the Blackhawks last games before the break, the ref followed your direction on a 45 degree from the end zone dot to the net. He did an outstanding job of blocking a Hossa one-timer into an empty net
- scottak

It happens. Ever see a puck go off a defenseman's skate into his own net when it was heading wide? Ever see an All-Star forward flub a one-timer when the puck doesn't bounce? Doesn't mean they made the wrong play.

I prefer the ADA 'Do no harm' motto. You don't miss much if you come down the boards and up the goal line.

I prefer the ADA 'Do no harm' motto. You don't miss much if you come down the boards and up the goal line.
- scottak

And this namby pamby method of officiating out of fear is exactly why so many goal/no goal calls -- THE most important calls in any game -- get missed because the official does not have the correct sight line.

It's not medicine. It's hockey.

If that same "first do no harm" philosophy was how the entire sport operated, every game would end 0-0 and be played entirely on the boards because no one would ever undertake the slightest risk to make a play.

The truth of the matter is that when officials skate where they need to skate to see what they need to see, there will the occasional undesired result. Far more often than not, however, the outcome will be the desired one.

I'll defer to your knowledge as a longtime official and player. It's frustrating as a fan to have a scoring opportunity taken away.

I did like the experiment a few years back at the NHL Development Camp that tried placing an official off the ice.

I enjoy the blog, thanks for sharing your experiences. I would enjoy a future blog about why officials in all sports resist technology, especially when there are a few that get the call right every time. For example, the in/out call in tennis & the baseball 'Pitch Trax' on balls & strikes. Officials have been using technology since the advent of the photo finish camera in horse racing, but seem to resist using it.

With the speed of the game and the size of the players these days the linesmen miss at least 6 offsides every game. I sit in the lower bowl and it's easier to see being away from the play a bit. What are your feelings about an official to oversee the offsides calls from a position above the play. I think the guys need help. If the answer is no, then I also feel that when they review each goal (I think they are supposed to confirm each goal) that they check to see if the play was onside. If offside, wouldn't the video have the correct time and they can back up the clock. I'm not crazy about upsetting the flow of the game, but offside is not a subjective call. It is or it isn't offside. In the playoffs last year I saw 2 goals that were offside and it wasn't even close. It's my feeling that those goals shouldn't count and the clock should be reset. Curious to know your thoughts regarding this. Take care, love the blog.