How to end this goalie interference silliness
I give up. I don’t know what goalie interference is anymore. Apparently, neither do players, coaches, referees or off-ice officials.
And yet, that’s OK. While it’s frustrating that it feels like so many calls have looked wrong, the fact is this was never supposed to be a black and white issue. Goalie interference is not like reviewing an offside. It’s subjective. What I think was contact could be a love tap to someone else.
That doesn’t mean the league isn’t concerned.
Goalie interference will be a main — perhaps the only — topic of conversation at next week’s GMs meeting in Boca Raton, Fla. According to a source within the league, everything will be looked at, including whether the definition around the rule should be changed.
Here are three suggestions to help achieve consistency:
■ Take the decision out of the refs’ hands: Every referee has a different standard of what is and what is not a penalty. Considering there are 34 full-time referees, that’s a lot of differing opinion. Right now, the referee is supposed to consult with the situation room in Toronto and then come to a conclusion. But why not skip a step and let the situation room make the decision.
■ Take away the blue paint: IIHF Rule 184i states that “if an attacking skater establishes position in the goal crease, play will be stopped.” This takes away the grey area and makes the decision more black and white. But it also takes away offence, with frequent stoppages. Still, do you want more goals or more controversy?
■ Tell contact goalies to toughen up: I understand that we want to protect the goalies. You don’t want Chris Kreider running Carey Price and causing a team’s Stanley Cup chances to go up in smoke. At the same time, if a forward and a defenceman both have to fight for position in front of the net, then so should the goalie — to a point, of course.