Why Did State Hockey Refs Put Their Whistles Away?

The 2010-2011 boys high school state hockey championship game was won on a tremendous effort by Kyle Rau of Eden Prairie, who scored a dramatic goal to defeat Duluth East 3-2 in OT.

For those of you who attended the game, watched along on television or perhaps from your computer thanks to Grand Stadium TV's coverage, did you notice that the referees seemingly decided to not call any penalties after the first period of play?

Players were being wrestled to the ice, tripped and were being hit without the puck, yet no penalties were being called. Despite the rough play, there were only two penalties called in the entire game and they both came in the first period.  

The old school mentality in hockey is "let them play." That means the referees don't call any penalties so that the players, rather than the referees, determine the outcome of the game. This mentality seems to surface in championship playoff games at all levels, starting with youth leagues.

This is the type of mentality that NHL has cleansed their game of in recent years. NHL referees have been told to call tight and clean hockey games to create more offense, better reward skilled players and to better protect the players from injury. This mentality has since been adopted by semi-professional hockey, college hockey and developmental junior leagues.  

In the 2010 United States Hockey League (USHL) Jr. A championship game, 11 penalties were called. In the 2011 Frozen Four NCAA Division 1 championship game between Minnesota Duluth and Michigan, 15 penalties called. In the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Game 7, nine penalties called. And for the 2010 and 2011 Minnesota boys state HS hockey championships, two penalties were called in each game, for a total of four penalties in two years.

On the biggest stage showcasing Minnesota HS hockey's finest, the last two championship games clearly haven't been officiated according to the rules, nor were the players properly protected. As a high school and youth hockey coach, I don't think the "let them play" mentality represents the "State of Hockey" well and ultimately may set a poor example for youth hockey players.

Too much is at stake to not strictly and consistently enforce the rules in our high school hockey games throughout the regular season and playoffs.

As a hockey fan, I want to see speed, skill and fast-paced play. I want to see power plays, passing and shooting. 

As a coach and former player, I want the athletes to be protected. In recent years, the medical community is increasingly calling for action to prevent athletes from receiving hits to their heads to prevent concussions.

And ultimately, as a Minnesotan, I want our hockey to reflect the reputation that is "The State of Hockey."