Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

[Hockey John]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

I didn’t see a lick of that series but on one hand you said they let the series get out of control, yet you complained they handed out an unwarranted 5 + game... so you wanted them to call things tighter and send the message that safety was important, except for when they did?

And the definition is a penalty shot is awarded when a clear scoring opportunity is lost on a breakaway; I guess maybe that is up to interpretation but I feel like you can lose a clear scoring opportunity and still get a shot off; in other words just bc someone shoots doesn’t mean they now shouldn’t get a penalty shot.

I agree that while everyone complains about officiating, there aren’t just legions of officials that are really good and qualified and fans would want calling the games and leagues from the pros, college, juniors, high school and down to youth are just refusing to hire despite them wanting to officiate. However there may be a great number that are sick of being booed and heckled and swore at and threatened and called out byname on Internet forums. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and can say what they want but the officials you see are the best that league can currently muster up so complaining about them could potentially cause some to quit and weaken the pool.

Just food for thought...

Being an official is a thankless job. Some professional sports are trying to automate calls which I think is very unwise. We want perfection, but officials are human and will make mistakes. It is human nature. All I ask from officials in any sport is consistency. When officials are consistent in their calls, it is up to the players of the given sport to adjust to those calls.

There are some fan bases on here that are not happy unless they complain. They also tend to believe their team never does anything wrong. I admit to complaining at times when I feel consistency is lacking. I think we all need to look in the mirror and realize these men and women that are officials are doing a difficult job. Are some officials better than others? Of course. Would we like to be complained about in our jobs day in and day out? I don't think so.

[BGDrew]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

BG is highly penalized. Stats don’t lie. But Tech got 10 power plays this weekend and only converted on one of them. Don’t like how BG is playing? Make them pay for it on special teams.

Tech was outscored 9-4 this weekend and outshot 76-52. Refs are an easy excuse for being outplayed.

I’m consistently baffled that fans expect perfection from part time referees (who are glorified volunteers).

[MTUHuskies]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

In other words, "My guy is a tough, physical, hard-nosed hockey player. Your guy is a goon who runs the goalie."

Says every hockey fan ever. [emoji23]

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

You're right, BG are cheapshot artists and hit from behind all weekend.

In other words, "My guy is a tough, physical, hard-nosed hockey player. Your guy is a goon who runs the goalie."

How close am I?

[SCSU Euro]

You are correct. Fans will complain about officials at every level. But I don't think this is just because Tech lost. BGSU was the better team and deserved to win. It is more a case of the inconsistency and the officials losing control of the game. I do not know the details of how he got injured, but I suspect Baylis would not be out for the season if the officials did a better job. The scrum at the end of Game 1 would not have happened.

As for a couple calls that I questioned, they are Polglaze getting 5 +game on Friday night for a questionable checking from behind. From what I saw watching Flo, it appeared that the BG player initiated the contact as much as Polglaze did. I'd like to hear the explanation on that one.

Another call I questioned was the penalty shot on Saturday. I have always been of the understanding that a penalty shot is to restore a lost scoring opportunity. The BG player was able to get a shot off that Jurusik had to make a save on. That to me is not worthy of a penalty shot. A minor was even questionable on that play but I would not have argued one if I was standing behind the bench.

And I'll admit I'm no expert on the subject. I've only spent 20 years officiating (none over the HS and Midget AAA level and not for the last 15 years) so I'd like you to take my comments in perspective and give me a break.

Good luck to the four teams remaining. Even though my favourite team has been eliminated, there is plenty of good hockey to watch in the next few weeks.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I didn’t see a lick of that series but on one hand you said they let the series get out of control, yet you complained they handed out an unwarranted 5 + game... so you wanted them to call things tighter and send the message that safety was important, except for when they did?

And the definition is a penalty shot is awarded when a clear scoring opportunity is lost on a breakaway; I guess maybe that is up to interpretation but I feel like you can lose a clear scoring opportunity and still get a shot off; in other words just bc someone shoots doesn’t mean they now shouldn’t get a penalty shot.

I agree that while everyone complains about officiating, there aren’t just legions of officials that are really good and qualified and fans would want calling the games and leagues from the pros, college, juniors, high school and down to youth are just refusing to hire despite them wanting to officiate. However there may be a great number that are sick of being booed and heckled and swore at and threatened and called out byname on Internet forums. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and can say what they want but the officials you see are the best that league can currently muster up so complaining about them could potentially cause some to quit and weaken the pool.

Just food for thought...

[MadCityRich]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

I have friends in CA that are tight with the CHL. While people always complain about officiating, it's really not an issue there. I watch MANY NHL games per week and officiating isn't much of an issue there either.

The NCAA officiating has always been horseschitt, at least what I've seen in the WCHA and now the Big 6 + 1. But the NCAA doesn't care about hockey anyway.

[bose301s]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

That's the call you're upset about? How about all the **** after the whistle that went uncalled? Or the hits from behind? There was a hell of a lot of "looking the other way" to keep that game as close as it was.

You're right, BG are cheapshot artists and hit from behind all weekend.

[MTUHuskies]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

Fans cry about officials in Mites. They whine about officials in Juniors. They gripe about high school officials. They yell about refs in the minor leagues and they rant and rave about NHL officials. Someone please explain where the WCHA can find officials the losing team won’t complain about.

You are correct. Fans will complain about officials at every level. But I don't think this is just because Tech lost. BGSU was the better team and deserved to win. It is more a case of the inconsistency and the officials losing control of the game. I do not know the details of how he got injured, but I suspect Baylis would not be out for the season if the officials did a better job. The scrum at the end of Game 1 would not have happened.

As for a couple calls that I questioned, they are Polglaze getting 5 +game on Friday night for a questionable checking from behind. From what I saw watching Flo, it appeared that the BG player initiated the contact as much as Polglaze did. I'd like to hear the explanation on that one.

Another call I questioned was the penalty shot on Saturday. I have always been of the understanding that a penalty shot is to restore a lost scoring opportunity. The BG player was able to get a shot off that Jurusik had to make a save on. That to me is not worthy of a penalty shot. A minor was even questionable on that play but I would not have argued one if I was standing behind the bench.

And I'll admit I'm no expert on the subject. I've only spent 20 years officiating (none over the HS and Midget AAA level and not for the last 15 years) so I'd like you to take my comments in perspective and give me a break.

Good luck to the four teams remaining. Even though my favourite team has been eliminated, there is plenty of good hockey to watch in the next few weeks.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[davyd83]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

Fans cry about officials in Mites. They whine about officials in Juniors. They gripe about high school officials. They yell about refs in the minor leagues and they rant and rave about NHL officials. Someone please explain where the WCHA can find officials the losing team won’t complain about.

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

So if we fire all the officials, where do we pull the replacement guys from? Local PeeWee leagues?

Also, what did the officials do wrong on the plays in question? Were they out of position? Was an interpretation of a rule wrong? Explain to me what they did wrong in detail...

Spoiler: The on-ice officials are fine... 99.8% of fans that ***** in places don't know their *** from a hole in the ground when it comes to officiating. Every single game is broken down on video, guys are constantly observed, critiqued, and graded. This is not only done on a conference basis, but at the NCAA level as well. And yes, these guys are infinitely better then what you or I could do if we were dropped into their shoes. They bust their asses to be at this level.

And for the record, I do know exactly what these guys go through because I'm currently working my way up as an NCAA Baseball official. I also personally know guys working D-1 Football, Baseball, Softball, and Women's Basketball along with people working D-II/III, NJCAA, and NAIA in those same sports in addition to adding Men's Bouncy, Lax, and Wrestling. As a "small college" official, the resources and accountability placed on myself is insane. D-I in any sport takes my level of dedication and goes to 11. But yea, Joe Schmoe on the internets is going to talk like he's Billy Badass on the subject

[Great Day for Hockey]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

Shepherd and his minions have been dogsh#t for a decade+. One of the few benefits of the big ten forming is that Greg and his bro no longer do badger games.

[pdt1081]

It was bad all year, then they take it to new levels during the playoffs.

Penalty shot for a BG player with hardly any contact.

I hope the athletic directors and coaches of the WCHA demand a meeting to end his reign.

His department and group of officials is a joke to the NCAA division 1 hockey players.

Go for unpaid volunteers at this point. They could not do any worse.

That's the call you're upset about? How about all the **** after the whistle that went uncalled? Or the hits from behind? There was a hell of a lot of "looking the other way" to keep that game as close as it was.

[The Troll mtu86]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

Big Ten reffing is pathetic, too.

I agree with this as well..

100% agree, the reffing is beyond embarrassing, the league should be absolutely ashamed of the quality of the reffing.

Shep and his refs have sucked for years. Time to go.

[bose301s]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

100% agree, the reffing is beyond embarrassing, the league should be absolutely ashamed of the quality of the reffing.

[Bonin21]

Re: Fire Greg Shepherd, WCHA officiating the laughing stock of NCAA Divison 1 Hockey

Big Ten reffing is pathetic, too.