from Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe,
According to Stephen Walkom, officials welcome the rule change that brings a coach’s challenge to goalie interference, as well as offsides that leads to a goal.
“People don’t realize the referee probably makes at least 10 decisions relative to goaltender interference during a game: Did the goalie get bumped? Was it incidental contact? Did he get reset? Was it in the blue? Was it in the white? Was it intentional? Did he get pushed?” Walkom said. “It’s dynamic as anything.”
Walkom said that last season there were eight plays when the officials would have negated a goal had they been able to see it again. He said there were an additional two disallowed goals that should have been allowed.
“I see this year, if challenged, our guys getting those right,” Walkom said. “Those sort of egregious glaring errors that from the official’s view the first time around he got wrong and now if challenged he’s going to be able to get right.
“I see the next generation of officials coming along where huddling and correcting themselves becomes the norm. That wouldn’t have always happened 10, 15 years ago. Guys would be stubborn, wouldn’t want to admit when they’re wrong. But in this day and age with video technology, you’re going to have that. This season I think is an exciting development, another tool for our guys and something that can only help the game.”
more topics including the recruiting system for NHL officials...
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.