Wednesday Wusings: Unsportsmanlike conduct

Well, wasn’t our game against the Kodiaks on Sunday night interesting? There were over 40 minutes of penalties awarded in the game, and three quarters of those were awarded in just the last 10 minutes of the third period.  At one point our penalty box was standing room only.  It’s also amazing that no fights came out of the game, but it probably came close.  This was not a typical Puck Hogs-Kodiaks match (I used to say that the Kodiaks were one of the classiest teams in the league), which used to be very clean and competitive.  I’m not entirely certain as to what’s going on with the Kodiaks, but their captain seems worn out. 

Additionally noteworthy is that apparently the game before us – Volcanoes vs. Ice Dawgs – also had some issues with officiating, and we had the same set of referees.  I’m not going to go on a diatribe about officiating here because I said enough in an e-mail to the hockey director this week.  The officiating is what it is, and you know what you are likely to get into when you get on the ice and see who is calling your game.  Referees are not perfect and you need to cut them some slack, but when for some officials games consistently seem to get out of control, I think there is an issue there that must be addressed. 

Competition in the league seems to be getting much more intense, and I’m wondering if it’s to do with the impending playoffs (now two weeks away), or if there’s an overall declining trend in good sportsmanship.  At the end of our game against the Kodes, our teams did not even line up to shake hands – a few did, but others swore to “bring it next game”.  The Pirates won their game against the Phantoms (what did I tell you, people!?), and it seems Team Second-Coming-of-Christ (at least that’s what it sounds like if you read their website) were more sour than the team they beat.  And finally, apparently APL forfeited their game against the Flyers after trying to sneak in an illegal player.  We are not amused, APL.

What this league needs is one big giant group hug as a gesture of peace and togetherness – or maybe, just the captains of the top three teams should.  I wouldn’t mind that so much.

Singh10.