Refs not calling the game

[nturn06]

If the game was called by the book there would unironically be 20+ penalty calls per game. It would ruin the entertainment value entirely.

It will never happen and the players have figured that out.

I highly doubt that. If the refs would call it by the book, the players would adapt fast. They now pull a lot of crap simply because the refs don't call it.

 

[K1984]

I mean if anyone needs a good Canadian example look at Hellebuyck. He put together an entire f***ing video presentation about the league's inconsistency when it comes GI. Now he's having the best year of his career and the Jets aren't any worse for wear penalty wise.

We need to stop being such p***yes as an org and plainly voice how terrible the officiating is for us, and especially for our star players. Otherwise we're just inviting more of this shit.

It doesn't even need to be confrontational, which is the most frustrating thing.

"We're confused at the lack of consideration of precedent at DoPS as it pertains to discipline rulings with the Oilers. We've yet to hear any explanation why Matthew's cross check on Dahlin was 2, Soucy on McDavid was effectively 2 (playoff multiplier), Meier this year was 1, but McDavid is 3. Similarly, we've yet to hear why Darnell Nurse's instigator suspension in 2023 was upheld when the suspension in every other instance was rescinded in recent history."

It isn't a generality, it isn't whining, it isn't just a loud complaint. When specific examples are cited, fans, the media, and the league can't just say "oh those whiners again." Any reasonable person can look at all those examples relative to each other, realize they're all about the same thing, and conclude that one specific team is getting f***ed. These suspension decisions aren't remotely defendable in the context of prior suspensions. Just saying "not fair!" leads to the brush offs.

 

[Roderek]

I highly doubt that. If the refs would call it by the book, the players would adapt fast. They now pull a lot of crap simply because the refs don't call it.

I am prefacing this post by saying I do not know the solution, but I do not believe it is for the refs to just call everything by the book. I was surprised by the 3-game suspension; however, I anticipated 2 as I didn't think they would have him back to play Vancouver in two games. If that Vancouver game was next week, it likely would have been 1 or 2 games. I think the other game was tacked on due to the elbow in the Minni game. Again, if this game had of been a little bit after that I don't think they would have considered it. Anyhow....

If it was called by the book a game would take forever, pace would slow down incredibly, and penalty boxes would need to be larger. If you think the solution is that the players will adapt and not do those things, it's pretty hard to use the low count of Oilers PP as refs not calling penalties. With how good the Oilers PP has been over the last few years, I can say with almost 100% certainty, the message in the opponent's dressing room is stay out of the penalty box. With players having that mentality, it would mean less calls.

Maybe they would adapt, but getting there would be painful, and pretty sure a lot of people would stop tuning in if every infraction is called. IMO this is how that whole series would have played out, based on the rule book. You need to watch the replay objectively and not as an Oilers fan.

Garland pokes the puck off McDavid's stick.

McDavid, collides with Garland and takes him down (first penalty on the play interference, Garland does not have the puck, neither does McDavid)

McDavid is Laying on Garland, making no attempt to move, until he see Bouchard with the puck and still in the zone. (technically holding by McDavid, but play would have been called on the first interference as Oilers had possession)

Garland now prevents McDavid from getting up (this is holding/interference however you want to call it) If this is the first call, play still proceeds as Oilers have possession,

McDavid Punches Garland in the head so that Garland will let him get up (this is Roughing, again play would be stopped here due to Oilers possession, but not on the Garland Hold)

Garland and McDavid get up, Garland grabs McDavid and proceeds to hold him (Holding penalty play still proceeds as Oilers have possession.

McDavid gets loose of Garland and Crosschecks him in the head this is a crosschecking to the head (5 min penalty) play is stopped here as Oilers again had possession.

So, in this scenario (which actually occurred) the first penalty in the series is McDavid, and if the refs called everything by the rule book, none of the rest would have happened as play would have been dead and face off in the Oilers zone.

In this 15 second of ice time McDavid committed a total of 4 penalties 3 minors and 1 major.
Garland took 2 penalties both minors for holding.
If you are calling it by the book, it doesn't matter if it is egregious holding or not, any hold is a penalty.
Do I think what would have been an interference call on McDavid would have been a weak call, as you could argue he had momentum and not enough time to change direction. Absolutely, but again by the rule book it's a penalty. We either have to let the refs have discretion or not. IMO I think they need to have some discretion.