Only the fed gov't is prohibited from inflicting cruel and unusual punishment. The AHA can do what it wants. - e.g., requiring the reprieved offender to ride to and from ND with Ol' 18 twice per year. Call it sensitivity training. <insert evil laugh>

Becareful of what you wish for... you just may end up with me reffing your little game.

None of us are qualified to ref a game unfallibly. I for one feel very fortunate that someone would even bother to show up and ref one of our sorry @$$ contests. Have you ever actually watched one of our games. I mean like sit down and watch a game on tape. It is pretty sad. Wow, you really have to give props to our GFs and friends who show up to watch. It's painful. Yeah, I know, when you're on the ice it seems like the NHL... but it's not.

We are last in line for refs. be thankful and respectful.

Do not argue with the refs. Sit down and shut up.

Do you really think you are going to change their mind!

spotci

I agree with you Dave.. the games are pretty pitiful. Unless you are playing in Elite Level in the AHA, the games aren't even fun to watch...for the most part. After watching my teams games in the playoffs on DVD... I have no desire to do so again. The games are SLOW, even at C1 level... and are even slower on tape. I was on fast forward through most of the game, it was SO boring...and I feel like our team is exciting since we score so many goals! Obviously the games are more interesting if you play and have a vested interest in that level or know people who play, but wow, props to the wives, gf's and other family and friends who come out. Some of these games are BORING.

Then add in a neanderthal who argues a blatant penalty and gets a GM or ejection. PRICELESS!

You hit on the answer. Big PIM offenders need to sit down and watch themselfs play 2 whole games, then ask them what they think.

As far as refs go I'm just happy to see them there. You have to understand that each person on the ice sees things a little different. Take for instance the lighting fast pace of C2, how does on see all the action? Me, I win some and lose some. Fast whistle saves my ass then the pay back slow one. No goal called based on the refs position when it "might" have been in then the next game a kick in goal against me. I'll admit I have not seen a ref change his mind nor do I wish to see it. I just move on. besides, they're the only ones who will take to me.

Thanks refs.

I was the goalie on the other end of this game and I'm pretty sure this guy won't be in the AHA anymore.... Word on the street was that he told the referee he was going to "kick his a$$ in the parking lot"... this all was said in front of the League Program Director... Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, it's just what I heard after the game.

I don't think our games are "sorry a$$." Why, because we don't play like the pros? I would rather go and watch my buddies play in a "sorry a$$" D1 game than buy an overpriced ticket to watch a bunch of overpaid millionaires play at the X. Big business tends to suck the life out of things, that includes hockey, football, basketball and pretty much everything else people start doing because they love it and end up doing because they get paid for it.

My pals play hockey because they love the game and they pay for the privilege to play. To me that makes their games so much more meaningful. Most of the professional players are all about the dollar and have no loyality to a team, a coach or a community and that makes their games "sorry a$$" in my opinion. I'm surprised anyone even watches.

As to the refs, well they're paid and that's probably why they come at any level. But then again I know people who've offered to ref scrimmages and games, not because they're paid, but because they want to help their friends have an enjoyable experience. I also know a ref who is currently unemployed and while I've never asked, I'm pretty sure he appreciates the opportunity to earn.

I agree with the previous posts that when the ref makes a call he/she is always right, even if they are wrong. By playing the game we've consented to their judgement and during the game is not the time to call it to question. There will be plenty of time after . . .

~Lee

P.S. I am also all for the removal of people who lack the ability to play with civility. I understand that everyone gets angry, I know I do. But there is a right and a wrong way to channel that anger.

I try to keep my ref interaction to a minimum, but occationally it happens. One of my penalties last season I didn't understand, the ref called my number and I was like, what the...but I sat in the box because all that I could do is make my trip to the box longer or the calls against my team worse. After the game, once the hand shake was over, I skated up to the ref and told him I didn't understand the call and if he could explain it so that I don't do it again. He was happy to explain it and everyone was happy.
In all the time I have played and watched hockey, I have never seen a ref change their mind after the call because some player was mouthing off so really just take it like a man and accept that sometimes mistakes are made and stop wasting ice time at $3 a minute whining about somthing that simply will not change.

Like I said, if you play or are watching people you have a vested interest in that are friends or fellow players in your level.. the interest is there. Just pointing out that even my own team is hard to sit and watch on DVD. I've seen DVD's of games of other teams too..and yeah, pretty boring. It's all in your interest level.

But, add playoffs or a meaningful game into the mix and it's a slightly new story!

Not only that, but get suspended, and you're looking at a waste of $20 / game of your league fees you paid but didn't get to play.

I rarely ever disagree with you Austin - but – measuring the loss of $20/game requires rational thinking. These people are incapable.

If the necessity of being kind to others isn’t plain enough ...

If they haven’t figured out that it's only rec hockey ...

If, at the very least, it hasn’t registered that "hey, I’ve never been in a fight on skates before – I wonder if I’m as tough as I think I am?” …

If after all those thoughts never registered, I don't think the loss of $20 will reason out either.

(Robbie, a friend of mine says watching our hockey is like “watching old people _________ … ummm … enjoying each other’s company” – old naked people … you get the drift. Fun if you’re one of the old people. But generally not pretty for others to watch.)