WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

[davyd83]

That helps, for one, but man, we so need to open up things in the league. I don't know what you can draw from the Bemidji scores or Friday night in Huntsville, but then you look at the games in Mankato and the Soo and, well ...

GFM

Mankato had over 40 shots both nights. 87 shots for the weekend. How much more could you ask for? I'll give you four reasons for offensive struggles in the WCHA: Atte Tolvanen, Chris Nell, Jason Pawloski, Jamie Phillips. Throw in Mike Bitzer too. And don't forget Smith & Kossoff.

 

[Bale]

Mankato had over 40 shots both nights. 87 shots for the weekend. How much more could you ask for? I'll give you four reasons for offensive struggles in the WCHA: Atte Tolvanen, Chris Nell, Jason Pawloski, Jamie Phillips. Throw in Mike Bitzer too. And don't forget Smith & Kossoff.

You're kidding yourself if you think it's all the goalies. Those games this weekens, especially friday, we're painful to watch. It was slow, it was uneven and it, frankly, bored the crap out of people. People were leaving the game because there was virtually no entertainment value to it.

Shots don't mean they are good scoring chances. If a defense packs it in, concedes puck possession so that they don't give up any good chances, shots mean almost nothing. That's a totally different issue though. My only point is that using shots as an indictator that obstruction isn't an issue is not really addressing the issue.

The problem, to me, is the inability for guys to move without the luck without being grabbed. Its one thing if it's in front of the net, it another thing if you're in the neutral zone , don't have the puck and you can't skate freely. It affects the flow of the game. I, personally, am fine with low scoring games because good positional defense or good goalies. I will be bored out of my mind if the games turn into that mess that was Friday night on a regular basis.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Mankato had over 40 shots both nights. 87 shots for the weekend. How much more could you ask for? I'll give you four reasons for offensive struggles in the WCHA: Atte Tolvanen, Chris Nell, Jason Pawloski, Jamie Phillips. Throw in Mike Bitzer too. And don't forget Smith & Kossoff.

This was the same thing last year, with different names in those goalie slots, and yet scoring is down.

GFM

 

[aparch]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

So, we're looking at enforcing the rules as written then?

Now you run the risk of offending the other half of the vocal minority that "Too many penalties are being called; let the kids play!"

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

So, we're looking at enforcing the rules as written then?

Now you run the risk of offending the other half of the vocal minority that "Too many penalties are being called; let the kids play!"

Yeah, we've all heard that complaint, and some have probably even said it from time to time, but the whole problem with that complaint is we're blaming the wrong people aren't we? We need to blame the players for "trying to get away with too much." Its very similar to the approach we've all see the Seahawks take. We're going to stretch the limits of the refs on every play on defense because there is no way they will call us for holding/PI on every play...

 

[Bale]

Yeah, we've all heard that complaint, and some have probably even said it from time to time, but the whole problem with that complaint is we're blaming the wrong people aren't we? We need to blame the players for "trying to get away with too much." Its very similar to the approach we've all see the Seahawks take. We're going to stretch the limits of the refs on every play on defense because there is no way they will call us for holding/PI on every play...

Right, but if the refs, and more accurately the leagues, are going to allow it, how can you tell the players not to do it.

I'm not worried about long games or "letting the kids play". If the games are consistently called by the rule book, players will adjust. If their team gives up goals because of the penalty they committed, they will stop committing that penalty. It's the same idea as CFB. When it was first made a point of emphasis, you could barely go a game without seeing one called. Now, I think I've seen 2 called all year in kato because it doesn't happen. You are able to legislate things out of the game. I'm suggesting they do call those penalties and eventually (and yes, it could lead to some really long games for half of a season while players get used to it) players will stop the obstruction and play a bit of a "cleaner" game.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Right, but if the refs, and more accurately the leagues, are going to allow it, how can you tell the players not to do it.

I'm not worried about long games or "letting the kids play". If the games are consistently called by the rule book, players will adjust. If their team gives up goals because of the penalty they committed, they will stop committing that penalty. It's the same idea as CFB. When it was first made a point of emphasis, you could barely go a game without seeing one called. Now, I think I've seen 2 called all year in kato because it doesn't happen. You are able to legislate things out of the game. I'm suggesting they do call those penalties and eventually (and yes, it could lead to some really long games for half of a season while players get used to it) players will stop the obstruction and play a bit of a "cleaner" game.

Very true, the key is making the players adjust but not letting the refs adjust to what they feel is the right number of penalties.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Right, but if the refs, and more accurately the leagues, are going to allow it, how can you tell the players not to do it.

I'm not worried about long games or "letting the kids play". If the games are consistently called by the rule book, players will adjust. If their team gives up goals because of the penalty they committed, they will stop committing that penalty. It's the same idea as CFB. When it was first made a point of emphasis, you could barely go a game without seeing one called. Now, I think I've seen 2 called all year in kato because it doesn't happen. You are able to legislate things out of the game. I'm suggesting they do call those penalties and eventually (and yes, it could lead to some really long games for half of a season while players get used to it) players will stop the obstruction and play a bit of a "cleaner" game.

I've seen a number of them this year. It would be worth checking to see how/what penalties have been called in WCHA games the last three years. Maybe I'll have time for that next week.

GFM

 

[aparch]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

The CCHA (Well, all of the NCAA) tried to crack down on obstruction in the early 2000's. Lots of "Obstruction-Holding," "Obstruction-Interference," "Obstruction-Contact to the Head;" and the rare, but personal favorite, call: "Obstruction-Obstruction."

Slowly, these were phased out and a return to simply calling "Interference," "Hooking," etc. resumed. Now when watching a college game, I see a similarity to the early 2000 game that they tried to clean up, which is similar to the "old NHL:" a lot of hooking, grabbing, and interference that never gets called.


Just call the rules straight up. The kids will learn quickly to quit clutching-and-grabbing opening the game up more.


Or better yet, make everyone skate on Olympic ice. Three thousand extra square feet of skating room.

 

[Bale]

The CCHA (Well, all of the NCAA) tried to crack down on obstruction in the early 2000's. Lots of "Obstruction-Holding," "Obstruction-Interference," "Obstruction-Contact to the Head;" and the rare, but personal favorite, call: "Obstruction-Obstruction."

Slowly, these were phased out and a return to simply calling "Interference," "Hooking," etc. resumed. Now when watching a college game, I see a similarity to the early 2000 game that they tried to clean up, which is similar to the "old NHL:" a lot of hooking, grabbing, and interference that never gets called.


Just call the rules straight up. The kids will learn quickly to quit clutching-and-grabbing opening the game up more.


Or better yet, make everyone skate on Olympic ice. Three thousand extra square feet of skating room.

Exactly, I don't mind a close checking game at all. I don't think many people do. Part of what makes hockey fun is watching which team forces the other one to play their style. The problem is when the close checking style turns into a mugging.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Or better yet, make everyone skate on Olympic ice. Three thousand extra square feet of skating room.

Hopefully better refs are cheaper than that.

GFM

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Refs will never get the benefit of the doubt from fans because we see the game in replay in addition to real time, but as a player and a fan, there is nothing worse that a ref not know the rules or knowing how to apply them during game play.

In my local NO-CHECK league last week, a player got cross checked into the boards head-first, from about two feet away. One of the most dangerous plays in hockey, and certainly unacceptable in any form, especially when it's a NO-CHECK league. After about 60 seconds to get his bearings, the player was fortunately able to get up and skate way from the incident. The ref's call on the ice... 2 minutes for roughing. When I asked how that wasn't a 5-min major and a game (it was also the player's third penalty of the game in a league where most players might get one or two penalties in a season) the ref replied, "How can I give him five? Your guy didn't even get injured..." I made some smart comment like "Well, you tell the scorekeeper it's five and send him to the lockerroom..." The ref didn't really find it to be funny. True to form, the very same player exited the penalty box after their two minutes and promptly started a brawl in front of the net at the next whistle... Too bad there were NHL scouts in the stands that night.

In the game vs U-Conn this past weekend, in the second period, the refs were still trying to figure out who was the home team for the purposes of who had last change. There were multiple conversations with the Tech bench about this. How do you not know that before the game?

Ryan J

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Refs will never get the benefit of the doubt from fans because we see the game in replay in addition to real time, but as a player and a fan, there is nothing worse that a ref not know the rules or knowing how to apply them during game play.

In my local NO-CHECK league last week, a player got cross checked into the boards head-first, from about two feet away. One of the most dangerous plays in hockey, and certainly unacceptable in any form, especially when it's a NO-CHECK league. After about 60 seconds to get his bearings, the player was fortunately able to get up and skate way from the incident. The ref's call on the ice... 2 minutes for roughing. When I asked how that wasn't a 5-min major and a game (it was also the player's third penalty of the game in a league where most players might get one or two penalties in a season) the ref replied, "How can I give him five? Your guy didn't even get injured..." I made some smart comment like "Well, you tell the scorekeeper it's five and send him to the lockerroom..." The ref didn't really find it to be funny. True to form, the very same player exited the penalty box after their two minutes and promptly started a brawl in front of the net at the next whistle... Too bad there were NHL scouts in the stands that night.

In the game vs U-Conn this past weekend, in the second period, the refs were still trying to figure out who was the home team for the purposes of who had last change. There were multiple conversations with the Tech bench about this. How do you not know that before the game?

Ryan J

to be fair those guys in Arizona aren't normally NCAA d1 hockey refs, they're local to Arizona, didn't do a ton of research but they appeared to be out of their comfort zone based on experience.

 

[Squarebanks]

to be fair those guys in Arizona aren't normally NCAA d1 hockey refs, they're local to Arizona, didn't do a ton of research but they appeared to be out of their comfort zone based on experience.

Not specific to Arizona refs, but I don't think there's a team in the conference that hasn't gotten jobbed by the officials at least once this year. I'm still torqued about the screw job we got against Bemidji a couple weeks ago. It seems to be worse than normal, and the clutch-and-grab strategies aren't helping the overall quality of play.

 

[pdt1081]

Refs will never get the benefit of the doubt from fans because we see the game in replay in addition to real time, but as a player and a fan, there is nothing worse that a ref not know the rules or knowing how to apply them during game play.

Even when the refs have replay, they aren't getting calls right. Look at the goal BG had waived off Saturday night. BG player standing OUTSIDE the crease. Goalie drops to the butterfly and makes contact with the BG player. Refs review and say no goal due to "goaltender interference." Contact was outside the crease and initiated by the goaltender. How do you get that wrong?

 

[dankthetank]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

The CCHA (Well, all of the NCAA) tried to crack down on obstruction in the early 2000's. Lots of "Obstruction-Holding," "Obstruction-Interference," "Obstruction-Contact to the Head;" and the rare, but personal favorite, call: "Obstruction-Obstruction."

Although the Obstruction-Obstruction call was great, nothing beat the "Obstruction-Faceoff Interference Contact to the Head Tripping" call made against Santos. CCHA 2004-2005: OBSTRUCTION!!!

 

[NMUFAN]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Does anyone know why the WCHA decided to switch to home team dark jerseys mid season? I'm sure there will be questions from people around me tonight at the game.

 

[Guy in Section 111]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Does anyone know why the WCHA decided to switch to home team dark jerseys mid season? I'm sure there will be questions from people around me tonight at the game.

Taken from the WCHA Website "Color Change: The WCHA is instituting a new uniform policy for all conference games during the second half of the 2015-16 season, one which mirrors the common practice of the National Hockey League. Beginning this weekend when Alaska hosts Bemidji State, the home team will wear dark sweaters and the visiting team will wear light-colored uniforms for all WCHA contests. A WCHA institution can wear either dark or light uniforms when hosting nonconference contests"

No idea why they had to make the switch at the mid-season mark though.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Taken from the WCHA Website "Color Change: The WCHA is instituting a new uniform policy for all conference games during the second half of the 2015-16 season, one which mirrors the common practice of the National Hockey League. Beginning this weekend when Alaska hosts Bemidji State, the home team will wear dark sweaters and the visiting team will wear light-colored uniforms for all WCHA contests. A WCHA institution can wear either dark or light uniforms when hosting nonconference contests"

No idea why they had to make the switch at the mid-season mark though.

Gives each team a chance to wear each of their jerseys as home sweaters for at least part of the year. Helps out in the sales department in the pro shop if the team is wearing that color on the ice that night, too.

 

[aparch]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Gives each team a chance to wear each of their jerseys as home sweaters for at least part of the year. Helps out in the sales department in the pro shop if the team is wearing that color on the ice that night, too.

Would be nice for NMU if they actually had a merchandise agreement in place to sell said jerseys.