Easy On The Ref

I have many opinions on the game of hockey, sports & life in general. Most of these I keep to myself, but occasionally something happens that causes me displeasure and I need to get it off my chest.

I'm not a huge fan of fighting in hockey. Correction, I am a huge fan of the actual fighting, just not the cheering that comes from the crowd when one breaks out. I believe that fighting in hockey keeps players in line on the ice and allows the teams to "police" each other. Although I do not agree, I still understand the entertainment value it brings to the fans, so when a fight breaks out and I just sit, watch & listen to fans yell "Break his face!".

This brings me to another thing I dislike. "Ref you suck....Ref you suck...." are the cheers that come from the fans. Often times a called is missed (usually against the home team) and fans come out of their chairs. When refs come out at the beginning of the game or period, they are greeted by boos and are heckled throughout the game. Again, I understand that it must be "fun" & "entertaining" to participate in this type of cheering and it must add to the fans overall enjoyment of the game, but I don't agree with it.

The first time my kid jumped in with the "Ref you suck" cheer, I explained why that was the first and last time they would participate. My explanation started by asking "why does he suck?" to which I got the response "because he's the ref." Did he do something wrong? Did he make a mistake? Was he not intelligent? To these questions I got the blank stare. Although I would never think less of a person due to their opinion of the ref, I wanted to explain to my kids that a ref is a person of authority on the ice. Not every call was going to be correct as they are human. Also, not every call is a "bad" call against our team. I wanted my kids to understand that being a ref was a difficult job and although entertaining to belittle them, not really necessary. What if you got a math problem wrong in class, or made a bad play at your hockey game and the fans and your teammates yelled "kid you suck...kid you suck..." I think he got the message. At the same time, if they think its ok to yell at authority figures on the ice...whats next? Police? Teachers? Parents maybe?

So again, I accept that fans get into the game and heckling the ref is part of the fun, but that is where it should end. Unfortunately, what happened at the Bucs Game Friday night caused this blog entry. I'm sure not many saw it as it happened at the end of a period, but the refs were leaving through the Zamboni doors when a "fan" was screaming at them from a railing just overhead. A few choice comments & expletives had me knowing that this fan 1) had way too much to drink or 2) was really very unintelligent. Once the fan realized he did not have the attention of the exiting refs, he proceeded to throw his cup (with beer) at the refs. He yelled a few more things and then sat down in his seat a few feet from the spot as if nothing happened. Of course, security felt otherwise and escorted him out to some undisclosed location where hopefully he got a stern talking to.

There was a play in the game where one of the Buccaneers did get hit from behind into the boards hard (at least that was how I saw it). There was no call. Although I disagreed, I understand that calls are missed and players could settle this on the ice as well (insert appropriate fight here). But I do not agree with fans getting that involved with a ref, player, coach, etc. Actually, I think it should be allowed, but the fan should have to face the player and actually follow through on their threat.

See videos below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXwavC3gfoc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eElspvew7rw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QECEsZVrbMA

Point is, relax with the refs and remember that sometimes you suck at your job too.

Toughest Sport on Planet = Hockey

I ran across this link that shows ESPN's list that ranked Most Difficult Sports (click here). It was a breath of fresh air for me as I have debated this topic with many people as to why I think hockey is the most difficult sport overall.

Ok, well maybe ESPN has boxing listed as #1, but I disagree with that as well. I have heard many arguments about other sports, and just as I grew up with hockey, others believe their sports are tougher.

Forget the ranking or the science. Just think of it from a common sense standpoint. Some have argued baseball is the most difficult sport. I agree that hitting a 95 MPH fastball is extremely difficult, but thats where it ends.

In baseball, players stand around a field where often times nothing may happen. The outfielders see a few balls hit, and outside the pitcher, catcher & first baseman, not much movement. Much different in hockey where all players on the ice are always involved in every play.

A hitter stands at the plate and awaits a pitch that he needs to hit. Nobody in his way, or any distractions, just him focusing on the pitcher. In hockey, the offensive player has to try and shoot a 3" round piece of rubber using a long stick while his opponents can legally knock him over while he does it. And if he CAN make contact with this puck it has to be directed at a net 6' wide by 4' high net in order to score....oh yeah and there is a person there with pads on preventing it from going in. A bit more difficult than having the entire outfield to hit into.

And the pitcher position? He throws the ball then takes a break. Spits, scratches himself, regains his composure, shakes his arm, looks at the catcher, winds up and then throws. Then all over again. If he's not doing good, another pitcher is warming up uninterrupted and then brought in. The new pitcher gets to warm up even more prior to facing the batter. This is just like a goalie in hockey...well not really. The goalie has the opponent in front of him, blocking his view, swinging at him, shooting at him from all angles...and if the goalie doesn't do well, his back up gets thrown in cold with no warm ups to face more of the same....thats fair.

Now, I do think that some of the sports listed on the "Difficult List" could be made more difficult than hockey.

Football was #3. This sport contains much the same as hockey. Strategy, hitting, speed, accuracy are many of the similarities, but it still lacks much. 16 games in the regular season versus 82 for hockey? Football players get a week to recover between games while hockey may play 2-3 games in a row after similar pounding? Almost, but not quite the same toughness as hockey players.

Basketball was #4. I shouldn't even argue this one. Alot of running up and down the court requires much endurance. Shooting a ball into a basket 10' high...excellent. But getting tapped, or brushed on your way to shoot results in the player getting "free throws"? They should incorporate that in hockey. If you get checked while shooting, you are allowed to shoot a free shot from your own blue line into an open net. Also, the trash talking in basketball would quickly go away when Brashear would plug Kobe Bryant in the mouth with a stiff punch.

Wrestling was #5. I guess we could make hockey take over the #1 spot if we added wrestling to it. If 2 players decide to fight and fall to the ice, they should be allowed to wrestle as well. It would be cool to see one player utilize the Guillotine Choke or Kimura in order to gain a "tapout". As for wrestling being equally as difficult as wrestling, there is a similarity. There are 3 periods in wrestling and hockey...but wrestling's periods last 2 minutes. Also, you wrestle guys your same weight...tell that to Martin St. Louis...maybe he'll change sports so he doesn't have to face Chara.

Martial Arts was #6. If you are training to be a ninja and can scale walls using only your hands and feet, or can fight like Jackie Chan in the movies, than yeah, its difficult. I'd put Bob Probert against any karate expert.

Tennis was #7. Here is where I stop with the comparison. Once you compare a sport that is done on solid ground, one on one, with a net seperating the 2 opponents, you've lost me. Now I love a watching a great game of tennis and even lobing the ball around occasionally, but to compare its difficulty to hockey is more of an Adam Sandler comedy than a real life discussion.

So in conclusion, hockey to me is still the most difficult sport to play. My main basis for this argument is simply the skating. As an adult, most can run, throw, jump, etc. This means you can at least make a decent effort to play soccer, baseball, basketball & tennis. But to move yourself one ice using shoes equipped with 10 inch long blades on the bottoms that are 3 mm thick while trying to push a 3" piece of rubber and make it go into 24 sq. ft of space while being chased is not easy...plain and simple. So if you put boxers on skates...then yes...its more difficult than hockey, but until then....don't argue with me.

Alien Black As Expected

My preseason prediction for the C League Champs in each conference went like this:

Wednesday - Alien Black
Sunday - Coke/Yankee Doodle Dandy

Off to a strong start of 3-0, Wheeler and his team of Alien Black is right where I expected. They have won every game by an average of 4 goals and although there is a team called "Untouchables", the only one worthy of that nickname is goaltender Anderson. With a 1.33 GAA, the only way your team gets a goal is if he steps out of your way when shooting.

Don't rule out Coke/YDD. As they are off to a rocky start, the tide will shift with a mid season rush.

The other 2 predictions for last place were:
Wednesday - Cup O Insurance
Sunday - Killer Tomatoes

Wow! Right again. With both teams bringing a winless record to the rink, they position themselves right where expected. Young Dylo may think he can help the Cup O' Insurance franchise, but I think his team realizes he may be the "Marian Hossa" to the Penguins acquisition.

On the surface, this Wednesday looks to have a great match up. Alien Vegas vs. Alien Black atop the standings face off with one team having to leave the Metro with their first loss. Although an even game to the casual fan, a no brainer for this league analyst. The Vegas Team, although good, is no match for Black. Sorry guys, I know you thought Scott Kelley & Knipper would be suitable replacements for me, but it wont be enough. Alien Black by 2.