Could someone please enlighten me.
At what time are the individuals who referee at the junior level, held accountable for their performance.
Last night during the OJC- OWGK game, the referee (Boucher) assigned to the game chose to make the game about himself and not about the game being played.
"Ottawa Canadians 88 minutes on 17 infractions Ottawa West Golden Knights 10 minutes on 5 infractions"
To anyone simply looking at the game sheet it would appear as if OJC was out of control, yet to those in attendance, it was clear, some infractions were just but a vast majority were not.
And to clarify, all but 4 minutes came after an OWGK player was hit very hard into the boards. The hit originally was not called an infraction, but the cautious and proper trainers from both OJC and OWGK, deemed medical assistance was required. The injured player was removed from the ice via EMC professionals. The severity of the injury was not known but the player was moving all 4 limbs as he left ice... Quick and professional actions of both trainers should be acknowledged and all thoughts are the injury suffered will be minor and not serious.
That stated, the hit was reviewed by video (which I did not know was an allowable option) and the referee called a boarding major as a result.
From that point forward... OJC suffered unfairly and things escalated to absolutely unacceptable levels. culminating with the game being stopped with 3+ minutes left in the game, because the referee deemed it was out of control.
Did OJC deserve some penalties, absolutely! but this referee failed to make calls both ways and spent more time 'chirping' at the OJC coaches who clearly were frustrated with how things were unfolding, than keeping control of what was going on the ice.
I have heard from CCHL1 and CCHL2 people, that this particular referee has history with losing control of things. so I ask again - why is there so little accountability with the officials to allow this type of refereeing to repeatedly happen! - just asking!
