The newly-minted CHL got a chance to show off its changes on
the opening day of its showcase event at the Kanata Recreational Complex on
Sept. 10, and the two-referee system was front and centre.
The idea was voted on in the offseason and was initiated as
part of the league’s rebranding in May.
Because all Hockey Canada
regional and national events must by officiated by two referees, CHL president
Kevin Abrams said instituting the system a year earlier helps everyone adjust
before the Fred Page Cup comes to Kanata
in 2012.
“You’ve got to embrace change,” he said. “I see the benefits
of it. I see that the positioning is better for the official and gives him the
opportunity to make better calls.”
Some feel the system isn’t without its wrinkles however.
In the second period of the game between the Carleton Place
Canadians and Cumberland Grads, Canadians defenceman Donovan Gardiner was given
a holding penalty during a play along the end boards in the second period.
The penalty was not called by referee Tom Sweeney, who was
positioned in the in the zone, but instead by colleague at centre ice Bruce
Gray.
It’s because of examples such as that one that caused
Canadians owner and head coach Jason Clarke to vote against the idea in the
offseason.
“This isn’t the NHL,” he said. “We shouldn’t be wasting our
budget on two refs.”
Not knowing exactly what transpired on that play, Scott
Loney said the call was probably made by the appropriate official.
A 14-year official of CHL, Loney has worked games with two
referees before, and said the official in the zone is supposed to watch
happenings in front of the net, while the other one’s priority is the play in
the corner.
Plus, with the constant communication between periods,
ensuring consistency usually isn’t a major concern.
“For the most part, guys are able to adapt enough and see
what the other guy is calling so they know whether their standard needs to be
lowered or increased,” Loney said, who worked the Kanata Stallions-Kemptville
73’s game later that night.
While Abrams recognized the additional expenses the league
must incur to hire more referees, he said it is the perfect opportunity for the
league to help develop more high-quality officials.
He added another referee on the ice means more calls will be
the correct one.
Nepean Raiders head coach and general manager Peter Goulet
agrees.
“I think it’s one of the best things we did all summer,” he
said. “It helps get all the stuff behind the play. It eliminates a lot of cheap
stuff and guys getting hurt.”