Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Just wanted to say as an impartial observer that I think the penalty call in OT was complete BS. I was also impressed by the passion that Bob showed after the goal. I loved the lip reading on the B10 feed. I also heard he got into it downstairs with the head of officiating--shows his passion and dedication. I felt like you guys were playing well down the stretch and deserved a fair chance to get into the tourney. It was painful to watch your season get blown up by such a bad call. That should not happen ever!
I disagree. I watched the play several times in slow motion. The incident happened near the red line and the ref was on the wall 10 ft. away outside the Gopher blueline. It was a judgment call but IMO could be either a hook or even interference.
Sheehy never touches Theisen's stick, but his stick is parallel to the ice and he hits his glove on the lift AND collides with Theisen's left skate at the same time before either player touched the puck. Definitely not just a stick lift or a dive.
Rule 58.1 Hooking - A player shall not impede the progress of an opponent by hooking with the stick or by using the stick in a reverse position to obtain the puck or prevent the opponent from playing the puck. Rule 59.1 Interference - A player shall not interfere with or impede the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck...etc.
Whether one thinks it's a bad call or not, refs are human beings and they're not going to get it right every time. If you play this game long enough you learn to control your emotions and move on to control what you can control. In this case, the Gophers lost several puck battles on the PK that led to the GWG.
Regarding Motzko's tirade of F-bombs after the game, IMO that's unnecessary and unprofessional. This is college, not the NHL. He did the same thing to Montgomery last season (
HERE). Motzko has other options to express his disapproval of the call. Screaming F-bombs at the refs and inviting them to step outside live on camera while shaking hands with a Notre Dame coach with kids standing behind the glass in full view of it is not one of them.
A coach or other non-playing person connected with a team shall not use foul or abusive language; obscene gestures; threatening language or gestures;
or other unsportsmanlike conduct to an official, or otherwise try to influence or intimidate an official either before or during a game.
I have no problem moving on, but apparently you do.