When teams win and still complain about officiating, you know something is up – that something is A Peine Legal, one of the two new teams this season.
We have yet to play A Peine Legal (“APL”) this season, and won’t for about a month. APL is unique in a few ways. Though we play in a co-ed league, this is the only team that is mostly girls, and who for the most part are very new to hockey. Many (if not all?) are employees of Skatetown (our arena). I’ve had reservations about how we should approach a game where our team is going to play a team of mostly rookies who happen to also be girls. So, I’ve been interested in what other teams have had to say about their experiences in playing this new team.
Interestingly, thus far in our young season, after playing games against APL, two teams – the Ice Dawgs and the Roseville Rotties – brought out a littany of complaints about the officiating despite the fact that they both defeated APL. Apparently, players on the Ice Dawgs and the Rotties feel that the refs let the players on APL get away with too much in terms of what could be called as penalties, and that the refs also coached APL to help them on the ice. And, in true Bronze League fashion, a conspiracy theory has been put forward that the refs are helping APL because they are Skatetown employees.
Without having played against APL, I can’t comment based on first-hand experience. But, I’m a little surprised at the backlash on the officiating. We’re talking about a team with many players who are likely not all that familiar with the rules, and that have little experience, and are probably at a bit of a size disadvantage compared to the other teams too. So, if the refs take it easy on APL, why get our panties in a bunch, gentlemen? Or, perhaps I’m missing something?
So, speaking as a player who once got beaten up by a girl on the ice (HI KRISTIE), I don’t think we need to make a big deal if the refs give the players on APL a few breaks. It’s just recreation, guys.
Of course, I reserve the right to change my opinion if we lose to them.
Singh 10.
