GDT: Avalanche vs Bles Saturday 03/29/25 @2:30 PM MNT (Emergency GDT) They're hot, we're hot, everybody's hot. But we're also snow.

[TruePowerSlave]

Whatever. The refs have bad games, what else is new.

Bury your chances and the score looks much different.

 

[UnkleKraker]

lose 3 or more in a row it’s time to tank

Fire Schneekloth!

 

[MarkT]

That was a good game until the refs decided to ruin it. The goal against wasn't on the PK, but it happened right after a PK ended against a makeshift line. All the PK time must have exhausted all the guys who play on the PK, who missed open shots on net later on. There's no way Makar, Toews. Lehkonen and Nichushkin had 100% energy at the end of the game. Meanwhile, all the guys who don't PK like MacKinnon, Necas, Nelson and Drouin must have had their rhythm thrown off by all the time on the bench.

I swear, every once in a while I really regret being a hockey fan. Such an amazing sport, and such shitty officiating, and no effort whatsoever by the league to improve it. To call that play on Colton and that "trip" on MacKinnon, and then nothing against the Blues who definitely did things in the third that deserved a penalty. Honestly, I doubt it's actually true, but the way the game was called, if someone believed the refs held a bias against the Avs, it would be difficult to argue against it.

 

[dahrougem2]

"Blues played a very good defensive game outside of that though. Blocked a ton of shots. Not sure that’s sustainable for more than a game here or there though. Avs were the better team most of the night IMO."

Blues fan here in peace. The Blues defense is for real. Under the radar, Doug Armstrong has assembled a deep and experienced D-Core. One thing to keep in mind about this game is the Blues were without probably their best D-man. Colton Parayko's injured but is expected to return before the playoffs start. Parayko, Justin Faulk, Philip Broberg, Cam Fowler, Ryan Suter, and Nick Leddy is a D-Core many teams would go to war with in the playoffs. Cam Fowler, who's having one of the best seasons of his career, and Ryan Suter are no longer top D-men but if they're a 2nd or 3rd line defensive option, that's pretty good depth.

Long story short, I don't think the Blues defense is a fluke. Since Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues have one of the best defenses if not the best defense in the league.

Also.... Jordan Binnington is a psychopath but there are few goaltenders I would take in the playoffs right now over him. He turns into Jonathan Quick in high pressure, playoff situations. He'll weirdly give up really sloppy goals and play like ass at times in the regular season but something mentally snaps in him to where he's like a Terminator when it matters. I don't understand him but then again goaltenders tend to not be right in the head.

The Blues have very good numbers, no doubt about it but it's not like yesterday's game was a defensive masterpiece by the Blues. The Avs had 10 high danger chances after 40 minutes - that's 2 more than the Blues have been allowing per/60 throughout entire games since Montgomery took over and the Avs were able to exceed that number in two periods.

Obviously, the third period was one where the Avs had zero rhythm because of the three straight penalties - two of which should never have been called - and the Avs couldn't generate anything until the final five minutes. However, if the Avs play the Blues like that more often than not they're going to emerge victorious.

 

[katfude]

"Blues played a very good defensive game outside of that though. Blocked a ton of shots. Not sure that’s sustainable for more than a game here or there though. Avs were the better team most of the night IMO."

Blues fan here in peace. The Blues defense is for real. Under the radar, Doug Armstrong has assembled a deep and experienced D-Core. One thing to keep in mind about this game is the Blues were without probably their best D-man. Colton Parayko's injured but is expected to return before the playoffs start. Parayko, Justin Faulk, Philip Broberg, Cam Fowler, Ryan Suter, and Nick Leddy is a D-Core many teams would go to war with in the playoffs. Cam Fowler, who's having one of the best seasons of his career, and Ryan Suter are no longer top D-men but if they're a 2nd or 3rd line defensive option, that's pretty good depth.

Long story short, I don't think the Blues defense is a fluke. Since Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues have one of the best defenses if not the best defense in the league.

Also.... Jordan Binnington is a psychopath but there are few goaltenders I would take in the playoffs right now over him. He turns into Jonathan Quick in high pressure, playoff situations. He'll weirdly give up really sloppy goals and play like ass at times in the regular season but something mentally snaps in him to where he's like a Terminator when it matters. I don't understand him but then again goaltenders tend to not be right in the head.

How many 20 goal scorers you got tho

 

[Avsfan1921]

Often on these boards I see posters try to take the "high ground" and say refs weren't the reason we lost etc. Like it will earn us brownie points or something.

The MacKinnon “trip” was bad and the refs likely knew it after the replay. Usually there is a makeup call, not that I agree with that notion, but there didn’t seem to be one this game.

However, speaking for myself, it’s not a “high road” thing. Go to any teams gdt and they are also pointing out how many missed called there were against their team. Or how many soft penalties were against only their team. How it was a good game until the refs interjected.

Every. Single. One

As fans we see mostly what we want to see and ignore the other. We will notice a missed call on our guy but not see the missed call on their guy.

The refs are inconsistent, even poor at times. Every team deals with it, so no, the refs are not the reason we lose the vast majority of games we do and it gets tiring hearing that it is for pages on end.

 

[AvsCOL]

It’s incredible how ineffective any line becomes with Miles Wood on it. The Kivi/Colton/Coyle line was on fire recently, and they staple Wood in there and they suck. He’s a 4th line checker at best.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

Wood is absolutely terrible. Even if you would need to attach assets to move him it must be done.

 

[S E P H]

Lol the BS around here is kind of insane.

The Avs have what 3 losses in March, all were 2-1 scores and all were aided by insane hot goalie performances and questionable reffing.

2-1 shootout loss to Minny where Gustavsson played out of his mind.

2-1 loss to Toronto where the ref literally dove in front of a puck to create a 2 on 1 GWG goal in a tie game in the 3rd period. Not to mention Woll had his best game in months.

2-1 loss to St Louis today, where Binnington got plain lucky with 3 posts and 3 saves that were dumb luck. And the refs gave St Louis every beneficial call.

What I'm saying is of it takes insane goaltending and favorable reffing to eek out 2-1 wins against the Avs I'm not really concerned.

Tied at the end of the 2nd 1 - 1 it was obvious that the team that made the most egregious mistake would pay for it.. That unfortunately ended up being the Avs via Necas's jr hockey level brain fart.

Totally unacceptable. And he knows it.

Let's move on.

I am probably on crazy pills, but I do not agree. I am not looking at the losses; I am looking at how the Avs are playing against teams we will need to beat in the playoffs.

Last two times against Blues: 2-1 loss last night and a 3-1 loss after 4N. Only two goals scored against a coach who shut down the Avs in the past. Offence is a big concern against teams who know how to trap our neutral zone speed.

Last time we played Dallas, we blew a 3-1 lead in the last ten minutes, where the team looked truly horrible. Then they blew a 4-1 lead against the Habs. There are definitely cracks in this team, and I am surprised not many people are taking this seriously. Yes, we are a bloody good team, but I've seen too many games where the offence has been too pedestrian and some of the turnovers are schoolboy issues that should never happen in the first place.

These teams wait for us to make mistakes because Avs like to play fast and create a ton of offence, which will eventually lead to turnovers when Av players are forcing plays (which every team does). It has been status quo, but we have been fortunate not to play against a true shutdown, stingy team in the playoffs during our Cup win, because Avs/Bednar haven't been able to truly beat one yet (yes, there are a lot of external circumstances as well like injuries, poor goaltending, and Nuke's annual prostitute).

 

[ChaosT83]

The Blues have very good numbers, no doubt about it but it's not like yesterday's game was a defensive masterpiece by the Blues. The Avs had 10 high danger chances after 40 minutes - that's 2 more than the Blues have been allowing per/60 throughout entire games since Montgomery took over and the Avs were able to exceed that number in two periods.

Obviously, the third period was one where the Avs had zero rhythm because of the three straight penalties - two of which should never have been called - and the Avs couldn't generate anything until the final five minutes. However, if the Avs play the Blues like that more often than not they're going to emerge victorious.

The Avs will probably have more high danger chances against almost all opponents they play. When they're clicking, they have god tier offensive talent that many playoff bound teams don't have. No other team in the NHL has a combination of Bobby Orr Jr. on their defense and once in a generation offensive talent like Nathan MacKinnon. I'm not making the argument the Blues will go far if they make the playoffs or beat the Avs in a playoff series however their defense is not a fluke. Their D core is pretty deep and has the ability to shut down teams that don't have similar offensive, generational talent like the Avs have on their roster.

 

[the_fan]

We will win that game. Probably won't be close. I'm thinking 5-2. We won't goalied and reffed every game.

Simply put without those two factors we aren't losing games. We are running teams into the ground otherwise. Doubt we will get goalied and reffed 2 games in a row.

The only thing is that this teams like the Flames are the hardest teams to play against this time of year when they’re desperately trying to make the playoffs. We got them then the Jackets on the 2nd of the back to back who are also trying to make the playoffs just couple of points back. Then we get the Blues again this time in St. Louis. It’s a tough stretch

 

[expatriatedtexan]

The MacKinnon “trip” was bad and the refs likely knew it after the replay. Usually there is a makeup call, not that I agree with that notion, but there didn’t seem to be one this game.

However, speaking for myself, it’s not a “high road” thing. Go to any teams gdt and they are also pointing out how many missed called there were against their team. Or how many soft penalties were against only their team. How it was a good game until the refs interjected.

Every. Single. One

As fans we see mostly what we want to see and ignore the other. We will notice a missed call on our guy but not see the missed call on their guy.

The refs are inconsistent, even poor at times. Every team deals with it, so no, the refs are not the reason we lose the vast majority of games we do and it gets tiring hearing that it is for pages on end.

I've been saying this for years... It's not the bad calls the refs make that are truly impacting the game. It's the good calls that they DON'T make. Yes, for the most part I agree that when a penalty is called there is usually a penalty that has taken place.. for the the most part. But every single game has so, so many examples of legit f***ing penalties going uncalled.

Uncalled penalties are akin to placing your thumb upon the scales of justice.

 

[CobraAcesS]

it’s not too crazy. If we had this current roster we have now from the start of the season, we’d probably be on par with the 22 team as far as the regular season standing and points. We would be battling with the Jets for the 1st place

That's what I was thinking, this team all year could realistically sustain the win percentage we've had since the TDL for most of a season.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

That's what I was thinking, this team all year could realistically sustain the win percentage we've had since the TDL for most of a season.

Yeah, I mean.. We've been saying for years though, that with EJ, Gabe, Nate, Mikko, Cale and Nuke getting PAID that we were going to have to start season's less than optimally and build towards a fuller lineup through through the waivers 'draft' and the trade deadline.

We just don't have the available cap space to start the season with the team we want to end it with. While this can be fun for the league because it means more movement, it's frustrating as hell when you are limited in your capabilities to resign players.

 

[flyfysher]

Whatever. The refs have bad games, what else is new.

Bury your chances and the score looks much different.

I know Binnington is a head case but sometimes you gotta tip your hat to them. This was one of those occasions when the goalie stood on his head. I like that it felt at times like it was a shooting gallery by our guys.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Yeah it was a mistake, but let's be honest the refs played a significant role in the game tonight.

No team can play perfect hockey. And it's virtually impossible to win a game when every single call goes against you.

I wouldn't say boo hoo if we went 0-3 on the PP. But we got 1 call, they got 4. The refs also missed 2 very obvious calls on St Louis. We might not win if the correct calls were made, but at least we wouldn't have this ambiguous crap where the refs got involved with a closely contested game.

One mistake shouldn't cost you a game, since every team make multiple mistakes every game, but tonight it did, because the zebras made sure that was the case by not calling even a remotely semi passable game.

I was as upset at the refs as anyone. Relooking at some video tells me the ref never actually saw MacKinnon trip anyone (he didn't). The ref had to look through the goal net to see the actual infraction. He couldn't have. All he saw was the Blues player fall and extrapolated from there.

I couldn't tell either ref's positioning on the head shot play but a call would depend on their postioning. If no ref was cross ice from the hit, they'd never see it.

Still a few almost meaningless games left. Then the Avs will get a nice about week long rest before game 1.

I really dislike the idea of going against Dallas in the first round, rather pick any team in the west other than the Stars. One top team will be out immediately because of the dumb division rules.

I despise the Division playoff approach. Bring back the Conference approach with reseeding.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

I am probably on crazy pills, but I do not agree. I am not looking at the losses; I am looking at how the Avs are playing against teams we will need to beat in the playoffs.

Last two times against Blues: 2-1 loss last night and a 3-1 loss after 4N. Only two goals scored against a coach who shut down the Avs in the past. Offence is a big concern against teams who know how to trap our neutral zone speed.

Last time we played Dallas, we blew a 3-1 lead in the last ten minutes, where the team looked truly horrible. Then they blew a 4-1 lead against the Habs. There are definitely cracks in this team, and I am surprised not many people are taking this seriously. Yes, we are a bloody good team, but I've seen too many games where the offence has been too pedestrian and some of the turnovers are schoolboy issues that should never happen in the first place.

These teams wait for us to make mistakes because Avs like to play fast and create a ton of offence, which will eventually lead to turnovers when Av players are forcing plays (which every team does). It has been status quo, but we have been fortunate not to play against a true shutdown, stingy team in the playoffs during our Cup win, because Avs/Bednar haven't been able to truly beat one yet (yes, there are a lot of external circumstances as well like injuries, poor goaltending, and Nuke's annual prostitute).

I understand your concerns and was mearly trying to move past all the emotionalistic whining and complaining.

Montgomery has put together a very nice defensive scheme that I remember from his Dallas days. His teams played an up tempo aggressive zero time and space allowed forecheck. They handily took away the middle of the ice forcing opponents to the boards. They back this up by having 3 fwds deployed in the NZ in a spread pattern and 2 D just inside their own blue line in a trapping scheme. They dare you to dump the puck because Binnington can move it when you do. They have a big, physical and mobile D-corp that in their own zone sags back to the slot, block shots daring you to shoot. They pick and interfere religiously. But most importantly, they PLAY the fwds opponent STICKS after establishing position. Nuke could not get his stick on several loose pucks in close. I saw the frustration on his face.

First of all, you need to get the lead and NOT spot them a goal. Especially when Binnington is play 4 Nations level goaltending. And then you CANNOT relax. Ever.

Nor become confused. The Avs misplayed the PK that allowed Blues goal#1. And were incomplete brain freeze mode after Necas coughed up the puck near the Avs blue line. That scramble (goal #2) became a true sh!t show.

Makar had the best chances to score but Binnington got a shoulder on one attempt and Cale just missed the net on 2 others. Cale had the game on his stick. So did Coyle.

Problem. Drouin is NOT Rantanen in the one timer position. He does not have the same shot. A hole was created by management.

I also hate the Division playoff approach. Esp with no reseeding after a round. But ya play what they give ya.

 

[chet1926]

The only thing is that this teams like the Flames are the hardest teams to play against this time of year when they’re desperately trying to make the playoffs. We got them then the Jackets on the 2nd of the back to back who are also trying to make the playoffs just couple of points back. Then we get the Blues again this time in St. Louis. It’s a tough stretch

Sure. However we just did the same thing last week and basically ran Ottawa and Montreal out of the building.

The Avs are playing good hockey, not super worried about who they play, we'll probably win more than we lose.

 

[Foppa2118]

"Blues played a very good defensive game outside of that though. Blocked a ton of shots. Not sure that’s sustainable for more than a game here or there though. Avs were the better team most of the night IMO."

Blues fan here in peace. The Blues defense is for real. Under the radar, Doug Armstrong has assembled a deep and experienced D-Core. One thing to keep in mind about this game is the Blues were without probably their best D-man. Colton Parayko's injured but is expected to return before the playoffs start. Parayko, Justin Faulk, Philip Broberg, Cam Fowler, Ryan Suter, and Nick Leddy is a D-Core many teams would go to war with in the playoffs. Cam Fowler, who's having one of the best seasons of his career, and Ryan Suter are no longer top D-men but if they're a 2nd or 3rd line defensive option, that's pretty good depth.

Long story short, I don't think the Blues defense is a fluke. Since Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues have one of the best defenses if not the best defense in the league.

Also.... Jordan Binnington is a psychopath but there are few goaltenders I would take in the playoffs right now over him. He turns into Jonathan Quick in high pressure, playoff situations. He'll weirdly give up really sloppy goals and play like ass at times in the regular season but something mentally snaps in him to where he's like a Terminator when it matters. I don't understand him but then again goaltenders tend to not be right in the head.

Oh I agree. I could tell personally that the defensive effort they gave was not a fluke. I know what a committed group looks like, and that's what the Blues looked like in that game. They've all bought in.

When I said I wasn't sure if it was sustainable, I meant the shot blocking at such high numbers to shut down a high octane offense. That part specifically is tough to pull off consistently against a good team.

Injuries on shot blocks start to happen, shots start getting through, tactics change, deflections/screens eventually happen over a larger sample, etc.

But the Blues look for real, and got very good goaltending, credit where credit is due.

 

[AvsMakar08]

I am probably on crazy pills, but I do not agree. I am not looking at the losses; I am looking at how the Avs are playing against teams we will need to beat in the playoffs.

Last two times against Blues: 2-1 loss last night and a 3-1 loss after 4N. Only two goals scored against a coach who shut down the Avs in the past. Offence is a big concern against teams who know how to trap our neutral zone speed.

Last time we played Dallas, we blew a 3-1 lead in the last ten minutes, where the team looked truly horrible. Then they blew a 4-1 lead against the Habs. There are definitely cracks in this team, and I am surprised not many people are taking this seriously. Yes, we are a bloody good team, but I've seen too many games where the offence has been too pedestrian and some of the turnovers are schoolboy issues that should never happen in the first place.

These teams wait for us to make mistakes because Avs like to play fast and create a ton of offence, which will eventually lead to turnovers when Av players are forcing plays (which every team does). It has been status quo, but we have been fortunate not to play against a true shutdown, stingy team in the playoffs during our Cup win, because Avs/Bednar haven't been able to truly beat one yet (yes, there are a lot of external circumstances as well like injuries, poor goaltending, and Nuke's annual prostitute).

@S E P H brother, I could not believe that they are making such an awesome nine minute mix masters. I was driving on a highway when I was listening this on Sirius XM. Enjoy mate. No crazy pills needed.

 

[Foppa2118]

I was there, and it was a really good, entertaining game. At one point in the second period, I said, "I totally wouldn't mind losing today because it has just been well-played and this isn't a bad team to lose to right now." But the third left a bad taste in my mouth, unfortunately. I expected makeup calls. That said, I still don't reallllly mind.

Yeah, I agree. I don't mind the loss or that it was the Blues. I'm focused on the playoffs, and accepted after the Stars game, that the Avs will stay in the position they are in the standings.

It's not just the one game of poor officiating either for me. It's years and years of it with it getting worse not better.

The league clearly won't do anything to hold them accountable. The players and coaches can't do anything or they'll either get fined, or the refs intentionally stop calling things for them as revenge. It's crazy.

The only way for it to get better is if fans of all teams start shaming them publicly. This is the only accountability they will receive. I hope other team's fans do the same thing.

Players need to focus on hockey, but fans need to unite over this and shame them, not shame each other. Shaming each other just shields the refs from the accountability needed for change.

 

[flyfysher]

Yeah, I agree. I don't mind the loss or that it was the Blues. I'm focused on the playoffs, and accepted after the Stars game, that the Avs will stay in the position they are in the standings.

It's not just the one game of poor officiating either for me. It's years and years of it with it getting worse not better.

The league clearly won't do anything to hold them accountable. The players and coaches can't do anything or they'll either get fined, or the refs intentionally stop calling things for them as revenge. It's crazy.

The only way for it to get better is if fans of all teams start shaming them publicly. This is the only accountability they will receive. I hope other team's fans do the same thing.

We need to unite over this and shame them, not shame each other. Shaming each other just shields the refs from the accountability needed for change.

Change the rules. Have a video replay official to confirm or overturn the call because calls have been getting atrocious.

When the Avs played TML, there was a play behind the goal where the Avs player tripped the TML player and it wasn’t called. A second later, a TML player tripped the Avs puck carrier and it was called. I get that the Avs player had the puck but try and call it equally. Calls shouldn’t be context dependent.

On replay, just adopt the NFL standard that the on the field call will be upheld unless there is clear and conclusive video evidence to overturn it. I’m afraid that system would require limiting coaches’ challenges and maybe keeping the penalty on the challenging team if the play is upheld.

I’m not sure how I feel about video calls on missed penalty calls on the ice. But that blatant elbow and non-call on Lindgren was appalling. That should’ve been a major because the Blues player intended to take Lindgren out.

I used to think there’d be at least 2 games a season where the officiating stunk. But it seems like it’s getting a lot worse each year.

Someone ought to put up a poll on the main boards asking to rate officiating and also whether it has improved, remained the same or gotten worse and to what degree. Then it wouldn’t matter what team’s fan was complaining because I suspect you’d get complaints across the board from everyone.

 

[Foppa2118]

Change the rules. Have a video replay official to confirm or overturn the call because calls have been getting atrocious.

When the Avs played TML, there was a play behind the goal where the Avs player tripped the TML player and it wasn’t called. A second later, a TML player tripped the Avs puck carrier and it was called. I get that the Avs player had the puck but try and call it equally. Calls shouldn’t be context dependent.

On replay, just adopt the NFL standard that the on the field call will be upheld unless there is clear and conclusive video evidence to overturn it. I’m afraid that system would require limiting coaches’ challenges and maybe keeping the penalty on the challenging team if the play is upheld.

I’m not sure how I feel about video calls on missed penalty calls on the ice. But that blatant elbow and non-call on Lindgren was appalling. That should’ve been a major because the Blues player intended to take Lindgren out.

I used to think there’d be at least 2 games a season where the officiating stunk. But it seems like it’s getting a lot worse each year.

Someone ought to put up a poll on the main boards asking to rate officiating and also whether it has improved, remained the same or gotten worse and to what degree. Then it wouldn’t matter what team’s fan was complaining because I suspect you’d get complaints across the board from everyone.

I'd be ok with giving teams an extra 30 second timeout specifically for refs to review a penalty. They have the iPad feeds already and TOR can send slow mo replays if they want.

90% of the time it should stand out in the first 10 seconds. If they don't see enough to overturn it in 30 seconds, then it stays a penalty, and there's no extra penalty for the challenge. If they do overturn it, the team keeps the extra 30 second timeout for reviews.

Would only add a couple minutes max to every game. That should be fine IMO, especially to make sure nobody is getting an advantage, especially in the playoffs, and especially with the emphasis on gambling.

The real issue is they don't seem to make up for the bad/non calls though. Refs often make game management calls to make the power plays even, but a lot of times they don't look for make up calls when they screwed up, because it's so obvious. Sometimes they do, but I've noticed a lot they don't. I feel like they just don't want to acknowledge their mistakes, because they're used to being protected.

They need to start doing this a lot more. Watch the jumbotron replay. Watch the replays of the penalties and non calls that teams were upset with during the intermission. They've got plenty of time.

Then when they see they screwed up really bad, they should be looking to make up for it by calling something marginal. They don't do this enough IMO. They just let one team have a big advantage.

What I'd really like though, is someone to create an independent site to track all their screwups. Scoutingtherefs.com is ok, but they should do more. They should crowdsource twitter and have people clip out bad and non calls from games they're watching. Then have people register somehow and state their preferred team. Then have all the neutral fans vote on whether the calls/non calls were bad or not.

Then do nightly, monthly, and yearly montages of all the screwups. The video evidence would be damning, becuase it would really put in perspective just how often they screw up.

The extra video review helps with the bad calls, the higher emphasis on refs reviewing plays for make up calls would help with both bad and non calls, and the public accountability would motivate them to just do their job better.

It will never be called perfectly, but a multifaceted approach like this would go a long way.

 

[dahrougem2]

I'd be ok with giving teams an extra 30 second timeout specifically for refs to review a penalty. They have the iPad feeds already and TOR can send slow mo replays if they want.

90% of the time it should stand out in the first 10 seconds. If they don't see enough to overturn it in 30 seconds, then it stays a penalty, and there's no extra penalty for the challenge. If they do overturn it, the team keeps the extra 30 second timeout for reviews.

Would only add a couple minutes max to every game. That should be fine IMO, especially to make sure nobody is getting an advantage, especially in the playoffs, and especially with the emphasis on gambling.

The real issue is they don't seem to make up for the bad/non calls though. Refs often make game management calls to make the power plays even, but a lot of times they don't look for make up calls when they screwed up, because it's so obvious. Sometimes they do, but I've noticed a lot they don't. I feel like they just don't want to acknowledge their mistakes, because they're used to being protected.

They need to start doing this a lot more. Watch the jumbotron replay. Watch the replays of the penalties and non calls that teams were upset with during the intermission. They've got plenty of time.

Then when they see they screwed up really bad, they should be looking to make up for it by calling something marginal. They don't do this enough IMO. They just let one team have a big advantage.

What I'd really like though, is someone to create an independent site to track all their screwups. Scoutingtherefs.com is ok, but they should do more. They should crowdsource twitter and have people clip out bad and non calls from games they're watching. Then have people register somehow and state their preferred team. Then have all the neutral fans vote on whether the calls/non calls were bad or not.

Then do nightly, monthly, and yearly montages of all the screwups. The video evidence would be damning, becuase it would really put in perspective just how often they screw up.

The extra video review helps with the bad calls, the higher emphasis on refs reviewing plays for make up calls would help with both bad and non calls, and the public accountability would motivate them to just do their job better.

It will never be called perfectly, but a multifaceted approach like this would go a long way.

If the league really values video review, do like the NBA and allow teams to challenge penalties.

Like you said, should be VERY obvious. My only concern is refs feeling they are getting shown up and keeping the penalty as-is because it's a judgement call, not black and white like offside.

 

[wayninja]

And there it is. We all know the formula here:
Avs win = great players with of course always some faults people have to point out.
Avs lose = Bednar is at fault
Avs lose 2 or more in a row = CMac's fault

Avs win = despite Bednar