Milwaukeehockey.com

A rope, a tree, hang the referee

April 22, 2008

Yep, if you were at game 3 of the opening round playoff series against Chicago, you witnessed a very poorly officiated game by Brian Pochmara. In these tightly contested and obviously important set of games, you would hope the league would assign their finest referees. When the teams shake hands after the series is over, the last thing that should be bitched about is how a referee decided the outcome. Unfortunately, that will probably happen in the coming days.

After the first two games in Chicago, Wolves coach John Anderson was in the newspapers complaining about the officiating - game one by Shaun Davis and game two by Pochmara. Was the slanted officiating in game 3 an attempt to appease Anderson? If I were a ref, I wouldn't want Anderson's tobacco-laden spittle in my face, so I'd probably do what I could to keep that from happening. I doubt that conspiracy theory has any merit, but you never know.

Since the Admirals joined the AHL in 2001, I have been pleased by the performance of the refs. Sure, over the last seven seasons there have been some poor games here and there (mostly by Justin St. Pierre), but when I hear fans at the BC scream about a call/non-call... the ref usually made a correct (or close judgement) call.

Prior to 2001, the referees in the IHL made my blood boil on several occasions. There were games where fans littered the ice in protest (Derek Martin), and many in which the refs were screamed at along the tunnel coming off the ice. Pochmara called game 3 like an IHL ref.

Sigh... I'm not surprised this series against Chicago has been so tight and chippy. All three have been one goal games - two in overtime. Several group shoving matches and curse words thrown about. No matter who is on the roster, these two teams have always hated each other over the years.

I'm still wishing we could have finished 5th in the division to cross over to the North Division playoffs. Not only have I believed the Admirals would have an easier time against Toronto in the first round (Milwaukee won both games in the regular season), but even if the Marlies would prevail, it would not be as bad as a loss to the Wolves. Not many Toronto fans come to Milwaukee to talk trash.

In fact, I think San Antonio tanked it in the final regular season game to face Toronto instead of Chicago. After all of the other games in the league were wrapped up (and San Antonio's chances at a 3rd place finish were erased), they allowed Quad City to come from behind to win in the 3rd period. Smart move. Do not be surprised if San Antonio advances to the Conference Final.

posted by Todd # 4:39 PM

Comments:

"Posted: April 22, 2008

In a stunning turn of events, the Bradley Center board of directors on Tuesday abruptly decided to drop plans to sell the naming rights for the facility."

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=742567

# posted by

Anonymous : April 23, 2008 9:02 AM

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