This should have been it's own post, but the NCAA sent out a memo clarifying their rules directive. The article does mention some slipping in the enforcement of those rules(Hi WCHA!), but for the most part, chides officials for calling games too tightly(Most likely the ECACHL), and pointing out that the NCAA's rules directive isn't the same as the NHL's or USA Hockey's.
In my mind, it's a giant step backwards for college hockey. How do we go from "a penalty is a penalty regardless of situation" to "There always will be judgment in officiating and every situation is not black or white."
The other question is why would they want the game called like the NHL or USA Hockey? The NCAA has come a long way in garnering the respect of NHL clubs, and it would be foolish to throw it all away by gaining the reputation of a clutch and grab league. I've even seen headway made in the USA Hockey rules enforcement. I went to a high school game earlier this season, and yes, there was an almost ridiculous amount of penalties called. But I also went to a game last night, and there was a total of 4 penalties called all game, and while the refs could have maybe called a couple more if they wanted, it was a much faster, cleaner game.
On a related note, there was an interesting interview with Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna where he expressed concern over a lack of scoring. I think it's interesting that scoring went way up in the NHL last season, and the general consensus was the only reason it went up was because there were so many more powerplays, but the NCAA hasn't seen their scoring go up with more penalties being called.
Alberta goalie Brad Eidsness has committed to North Dakota. He'll likely take over for Phillippe Lamoureux next season.
Other commitments of note, according to Chris Heisenberg, include AJHL leading scorer Dustin Sather committing to Alaska, and former Totino-Grace HS(yes, it's named after the pizza roll lady) defenseman Brandon Graffunder, who is playing for Alaska in the NAHL this season.
INCH may not have given in to my campaigning for Travis Morin, but Hockeysfuture.com NCAA writer, and frequent blog reader, D.J. Powers seemingly has. Morin gets an honorable mention in her 10 Hobey Baker candidates.
David Backes made his NHL debut last night for the St. Louis Blues, and got an assist on his first NHL shift.
Adam Wodon features Michigan Tech's Peter Rouleau.
CHN's Blog discusses fighting in college hockey. It's kind of odd. They say there's nothing wrong with a melee breaking out every once in a while in the heat of the moment, as do I, and as do most college hockey fans. Yet gather people's reactions about the fight in the NBA on Saturday night(excluding thoughts on Carmelo's slap-n-dash), and the opinion is pretty much the opposite. It's a Jason Whitlock column just waiting to be written.
UAA Fan Blog discusses UAA attendence issues among other things. His blog is a year old, so congrats go out to him for that.
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It appears the best place to develop into an NHL player is in Canada where you can learn to play the game under the same rules as in the NHL. In the US you learn to play under one set of rules then move on to another set if you're good enough, then try to go back to the rules you learned in the first place. Ahhh! Only in America! Maybe the kids leaving college to play in Canada are smarter than some of us give them credit for.
Or maybe the MJ fans are more arrogant than stated on most blogs, message boards, and chats, anonymous.
In any case, Chris, you erred on Lamoreux. He's a Junior this year and Eidsness is a 2008 recruit. Eidsness will replace Lamoreux but not until 2008.
Some of these are old and some new, some fantasy and some true. But entertaining, I hope. Otherwise, every computer I know of features a 'delete' key...
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
Back to the lame new rules. Let me know when they cut the game film and I can't watch 2 min's of good hockey.
Bad decision not to call the NCAA like the NHL and USA hockey. I think until that happens college hockey will take a back seat to the NHL hockey.
Going to a zero tolerance policy on calling infractions would be a very bad idea for college hockey. The WCHA referees do a pretty good job overall. That being said there is always room for improvement.
It isn't a matter of needing more rules. We've got plenty right now. Just be consistent in the manner and time in which they are called.
The worst approach is the call no penalties and let the players decide the game. The notion that a referee shouldn't decide a game by overlooking an infraction is the old rule of thumb. The referee instead enabled the offending team an advantage by not making the call. He may have just had a bigger role in deciding that game than by actually making the correct call in the first place.
Overall there is much too much complaining about officiating in the first place. Officiating a hockey game has to be the most difficult of all games to do. College hockey would be better off if all leagues called the game like they do in the WCHA.
It seems to me that there is a noticable change in the hooking and holding infractions in the WCHA over the last couple of years and it is a much better game. Zero tolerance just encourages diving.
I think that the pro game is better now because they have gone to a game that more resembles the college game than vice-versa. Every game means something in the college game, in the NHL its just another night, until the playoffs.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
Wehrs has not had a great season-White is always hurt-Kangas will be solid- if Minny wins it all many will bolt!!! Oh just reload I guess!!
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