Quote:
Originally Posted by stemit14
Don’t know if I have ever watched a series that was as “game managed” by the officiating as this one. It’s not rocket science to figure out why there has been very little momentum in this series… the refs have been making it that way.
I know that refs often look to make “even-up” calls in most games but this series has them in spades and in order. The number of penalties is virtually even and, if you look at the scoresheet, it is almost always back and forth with the powerplays. Once the flames get one, it’s Dallas’s turn, etc. Also explains why there are so many 4-on-4s… the refs are doing everything they can to keep it a close, perfectly even score.
The better way to keep it even/fair is to not call so much. That way the teams can build momentum. That doesn’t mean let either team get away with murder out there… just call it evenly but not so tightly. There have been sooo many ticky -tack penalties in this series it’s ridiculous - on both sides. That penalty on mangiapane was brutal… but the refs seemed to feel momentum building for a team and they needed to find something to stop it.
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From the refs' perspective, they are also doing their best to stop this series from devolving into pure chaos. You've got two physical and somewhat goony teams outright threatening each other. In yesterday's game, the Flames started Lucic for the opening faceoff and he immediately started openly calling out Benn.
There's some truth to the refs throwing a wet blanket on the play, but their motivations aren't entirely malicious either.