Okay, folks. My first hockey game was this evening. It's going to take till sometime tomorrow for my hearing to return fully. LOL I'm afraid my opinion of hockey refs may never recover, though. And seat stealers! 
It isn't my nature to confront people, so didn't make a scene. The seats we plopped our butts in were just fine, so no big deal, but still!
Within the first 2 minutes of the first period, there were two goals, one fight, and two pucks went sailing out into the crowd! I thought we were in for a lively evening of spirited play, and was not unduly alarmed.
To make a long story short, there were several fights, and each time, one of the visiting team players went to the penalty box while the home team got no penalty at least half the time. It also seemed that if you were on the other team, it was an excuse to "box" you if you even fell down! I watched several times as players were sent to the box for no discernible reason, and was sorely disappointed by the ref's intelligence and vision.
Towards the end of the last period, one of the home team players, number 10 to be exact, had his stick break. Being stickless, he couldn't get into the battle over the puck, so did the next best thing apparently. He positioned himself directly behind one of the visiting players, and proceded to "mug" him! LOL Using his gloved hands to completely cover the other player's face, and keep him out of play. Now, I admit that I don't know the rules of play, but is this legal? I don't think so, and all three refs were standing right there, but conveniently didn't see anything. Hmm.
Now for the last thing I wanted to talk about. Totally shocking IMO. A fierce battle was raging for control of the puck, and the home team goalie was outside and to the right of the goal zone. The visiting team took a shot at the goal, and in order to prevent it, the goalie lifted up the entire goal net and moved it! WTF?! Needless to say, the shot missed, and the home team won. And guess what? No penalty for that little dirty trick. Now all you hockey fans, please tell me if that is legal or not. Again, all three refs were within feet, and not one of them did anything about it.
The whole experience was one that I don't wish to repeat anytime soon, as I would much rather watch a game in the comfort of my own home. Comfy couch, cheap food, and nobody screaming in my ear. LOL
It isn't my nature to confront people, so didn't make a scene. The seats we plopped our butts in were just fine, so no big deal, but still!Within the first 2 minutes of the first period, there were two goals, one fight, and two pucks went sailing out into the crowd! I thought we were in for a lively evening of spirited play, and was not unduly alarmed.
To make a long story short, there were several fights, and each time, one of the visiting team players went to the penalty box while the home team got no penalty at least half the time. It also seemed that if you were on the other team, it was an excuse to "box" you if you even fell down! I watched several times as players were sent to the box for no discernible reason, and was sorely disappointed by the ref's intelligence and vision.
Towards the end of the last period, one of the home team players, number 10 to be exact, had his stick break. Being stickless, he couldn't get into the battle over the puck, so did the next best thing apparently. He positioned himself directly behind one of the visiting players, and proceded to "mug" him! LOL Using his gloved hands to completely cover the other player's face, and keep him out of play. Now, I admit that I don't know the rules of play, but is this legal? I don't think so, and all three refs were standing right there, but conveniently didn't see anything. Hmm.
Now for the last thing I wanted to talk about. Totally shocking IMO. A fierce battle was raging for control of the puck, and the home team goalie was outside and to the right of the goal zone. The visiting team took a shot at the goal, and in order to prevent it, the goalie lifted up the entire goal net and moved it! WTF?! Needless to say, the shot missed, and the home team won. And guess what? No penalty for that little dirty trick. Now all you hockey fans, please tell me if that is legal or not. Again, all three refs were within feet, and not one of them did anything about it.
The whole experience was one that I don't wish to repeat anytime soon, as I would much rather watch a game in the comfort of my own home. Comfy couch, cheap food, and nobody screaming in my ear. LOL
