I'd say more frustrated.

from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

We spoke with one team executive who said the problem with the dramatic difference in how playoff games are called from game to game and period to period -- especially as it relates to the standards set in the regular season -- is that it makes casual fans feel at best confused and at worst stupid.

They watch a game in the regular season and see a player make contact with an opposing player, impede his progress, obstruct him, take his hand off his stick and grab him, and the referee's arm goes up and a penalty is called. They get that. They come to expect it, and that understanding gives them a connection to the game.

A week later it's the playoffs and there's no guarantee that the calls get made.

And if it's overtime or a Game 7, well, the odds that you'll see calls made decrease further.

"This lack of objectivity makes [fans] feel they're not in the know," the team executive said.

Does this lack of clarity have a negative impact on the game's growth?

If it does, it's something team owners and players should have a keen interest in improving given that they share the revenue pie.

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