[Flash Walken]

Kerry Fraser on snowing the goalie:

Last season during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we saw several incidents where tempers flared as players charged the crease and deliberately 'snowed' the goalie and scrums resulted. At that time, I was critical of the referees for not taking charge of the situation early on but instead allowed it to escalate and detract from the entertainment value of the game. Eventually, direction came from above and the referees laid the hammer down and assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that put an end to the snow showers.

During the officials training camp held prior to the startup of this shortened regular season the referees were directed to set a firm standard from the very beginning so that this 'cheap' tactic does not snowball! Additionally, players that enter a scrum and grab the face shield or utilize a 'stinky glove' face wash in an attempt to incite their opponent run the risk of being assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty without warning. (Does anyone remember the face washes and biting incident in the Bruins-Canucks final series?) None of these actions demonstrate tough, hardnosed hockey and if allowed to flourish will only detract from the speed, skill, hard hits and entertainment value of the great game of hockey.

I'm all in favour of this mandate Mike, just so long as it is called consistently across the board throughout the regular season and playoffs. Notice has been served!

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/kerry_fraser/?id=414132