Fixing The NHL: Four Easy Rule Changes Joseph Ochs | May 23, 2017 The NHL has an officiating problem. I don’t mean that in the sense that the league’s referees and linesmen themselves are the problem. Hockey is a fast, nuanced sport, and…
Ref Roundup: Playoff Refs, Respect, Retirements Josh Smith | April 16, 2015 It’s playoff time, and that means 14 teams have seen their respective seasons come to an end. The same is true for a large number of on-ice officials. Of the…
Scouting the Refs: Stanley Cup Final – Game 3 Josh Smith | June 17, 2013 The most important men stepping on the ice tonight will not be wearing the black and gold of the Bruins or the classic red and black of the Blackhawks. They also…
Scouting The Refs: Stanley Cup Final – Game 1 Josh Smith | June 12, 2013 Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals kicks off tonight at the United Center. Taking the ice in Chicago will be four men who will have a profound impact on…
Scouting The Refs: Walkom, Furlatt, Joannette, & O’Rourke Out Josh Smith | June 11, 2013 The officials for the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals will be Wes McCauley, Dan O’Halloran, Chris Rooney and Brad Watson. Manning the lines will be Shane Heyer, Brian Murphy, Pierre Racicot and…
Scouting the Refs: Penguins/Bruins Game 4 Josh Smith | June 7, 2013 Stephen Walkom and Eric Furlatt are set to officiate tonight’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins at the TD Garden. Shane Heyer and Brad Kovachik will be the…
Scouting the Refs: Blackhawks/Kings – Game 4 Josh Smith | June 6, 2013 Tonight’s referees for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings are Brad Watson and Chris Rooney. Pierre Racicot and Jay Sharrers are…
Scouting the Refs: Blackhawks/Kings – Game 3 Josh Smith | June 4, 2013 The men in stripes for tonight’s Game 3 in Los Angeles will be Stephen Walkom and Eric Furlatt. This dynamic duo has officiated six games together in the playoffs, averaging…
Scouting the Refs: Penguins/Bruins – Game 2 Josh Smith | June 3, 2013 It’s a quick turnaround and a 462-mile trek for tonight’s officials. The crew from the opening game between the Blackhawks and Kings will take to the ice for Game 2 between…
Scouting the Refs: Blackhawks/Kings – Game One Josh Smith | June 1, 2013 Game One of the Western Conference Finals will take place today at Chicago’s United Center. As the Blackhawks and Kings take to they ice, they’ll do so along side the…
Scouting the Refs: Conference Finals Josh Smith | May 31, 2013 Another round of playoff hockey, another round of cuts for the officiating team. Gone are Brad Meier, Tom Kowal, Chris Lee, and Kevin Pollock. They join the referees cut after the first…
Rangers vs. Bruins: Scouting the Refs, Game Four Josh Smith | May 23, 2013 The men in stripes for tonight’s Game 4 at Madison Square Garden will be Stephen Walkom and Eric Furlatt. This dynamic duo has officiated four games together in the playoffs,…