Ok, enough procrastination! Normally I save this part for later on, but this has GOT to be changed for next season.
I THOUGHT I had witnessed the poorest officiating when BV visited Summerland last month, until last night! Referee Eric Dasti has got to be the leagues most despised official. His blind inconsistency has teams cringing at the mere sight of his name on the scorecard. Last night, he didn't disappoint. That game had no business going to overtime, and had Dasti not been lackadaisical in keeping up with play, he would have been able to make the right call on the Johnson (non)goal. Combine that with the late goal after the buzzer by Nelson in the 3rd that shouldn't have counted, and its a 4-2 regulation win for BV! Last night was a perfect example of why the league should adopt the 2 ref system.
Alright, enough, before I get excited again. Let's get to the actual game play shall we?
BV opened the scoring with Craig Martins 47th of the year on a scramble play in front of Defoe. Contrary to the scoresheet, the 1st period ended 1-0 BV. Neither team showed an advantage in control during the first.
The second period saw BV get into some penalty trouble with the help of above mentioned official who conveniently chose to ignore infractions by the Leafs (ahem...cough...elbow to the head...cough...cough). Credit Nelson, they made the most of their chances and buried 2 PPGs to take the lead 2-1. Martin. With his 2nd of the night ties the game at 2 and shortly afterwards, Johnson streaks down the right side and backhands a shot over Defoes left shoulder in and out of the goal. Clearly a goal, but again, called off because a lazy ref can't keep up with his job and follow play. Chis Derochie then gets his own garbage goal cleaning up in front and gives BV the 3-2 lead after 2. Nelson actually had the edge in play for that period but some key saves by Vlanich kept things tight.
Beaver Valley opened the third set on putting this game to bed! Missed chances and stellar net minding from Defoe was the only reason it remained 3-2 up until a highly controversial Leaf goal at the buzzer. I personally witnessed the buzzer going off as the puck was fired thus entering the net AFTER the period ended. Unfortunately, and ultimately not surprising, Dasti called it a good goal! I mean, come on! Give your head a shake there leroy!!! BV absolutely dominated that period with 90% of the play in the Leaf zone.
OT we go! 4on4 in the first overtime was good with chances at both ends but 5 mins settled nothing. 3on3 for 5 in the 2nd overtime was outright frantic! 2 on 1's were the name of the game here!! End to end action with brilliant saves from Vlanich and missed chances from the BV forwards. Ryan Edwards FINALLY solved Defoe to win the game and send the Leafs packing!!
Game Stars:
BV - Ryan Edwards (1G 2A) GWG
BV - Craig Martin (2G 1A)
BV - Archie McKinnon
The CCR line combined for 9 points on offense while Edwards and Derochie were in beastmode on the pk causing havoc in the Leaf zone!
I get a strong feeling there may be slight retribution to my above comments and feelings regarding the officiating so I therefore reinforce the fact that these are MY words and thoughts and in no way reflect the opinions of the Beaver Valley organization.
I agree the officiating has been subpar all season and last nights game no exception. However the calls were not slanted towards either side (check the box score) I witnessed several calls missed on both sides of the play. Get used to this, this is how the refs call playoff hockey and not all refs will favour BV as Maniago does.
ReplyDeleteCan you also remind me why there are goal judges for these games. I don't recall seeing the goal light go on during the non goal in question and I also recall seeing the light come on before the buzzer to end the game. Pretty tough to criticize one of your own I realize but they still are considered off-ice officials and he/she would be more to blame than the official in both these cases if you are correct.
Its one thing to whine and complain but show some respect, the fact is there were two teams on the ice last night that played a good game but awarding all three stars to BV...Classless act in my book.
I can sense your frustration but perhaps it is mis-directed. Plain and simple fact is the #1 team in the league proved to everyone they can and will be beaten. I am sure if you were to speak with the coach he isn't blaming the ref for what happened and I am pretty sure he wouldn't call last night a victory either, he is upset and a little scared as he should be.
I really hope the team feels the same way as you because if they are focusing on making excuses for getting beat, stoking their own egos by naming all their own as the three stars in a tight hockey game and believing they were the better team instead of working on the glaring holes in their play, Nelson or Castlegar will be easily able to take the second round.
I fully appreciate your feedback and position. Allow me to clarify a few points.
DeleteNot once in my report, did I mention anything regarding the slanting of officiating in any one direction. I stressed points that I believed were worthy of stressing, but never once said it was one-sided. Maniago doesnt favor any team, and is just as brutal as the rest of them, even to BV.
I agree, there WAS two very talented and hard working teams on the ice, but I do not choose the stars. I merely reciprocate what is posted on the scorecard. Had it been my call, I would have chosen Edwards, Derochie, and Defoe.
Frustrated? Yes, but only because these boys in this league deserve more than what they are getting. So, no, it is not mis-directed.
Can BV be beaten? Of course they can! So can any team in this league and that is what makes this sport so exciting. Anything can happen on any given night.
Thank you again for your thoughts, I firmly believe Nelson will make the second round but no further.
I want to respond to the comments that were made about the officiating in this game. I am an official who was in the stands watching this game. I also know The referee of the game personally. I know it can be very easy to be a "lazy boy referee" a person who sits in the stands eating a hot dog and drinking a beer, making calls. Ill first off stating that yes referees arent any thing close to perfect out there and make mistakes in most games along with players also. Unfortunatly our mistakes our magnified. On the play were there was a supposed "nitehawk goal" The referee was behind the play. It doesent matter if it was pavel bure out there as the referee giving 100 percent effort, he would not of been in proper positioning to make that call. It was a fast break play the other way. The linesman was in perfect position covering and did not see the puck go into the net. Junior officials we do not get the luxury of NHL officials with instant replay.To call the referee "lackadaisicle" on the play is totally unjustified. The referee who was out there is in very good shape probly as good of shape as most of the players. We as officials strive to work hard to be in proper positioning on every play to obtain the proper sight lines to makee accurate calls. As for the nelson goal that was scored at the end of the third period. The puck was clearly in before the buzzer had sounded. If you need proof check the game dvd. Instead of spouting off false comments. The referee who was out there has plenty of experiance. He has officiated the kijhl league final the past two years, officiated in the bchl for eight years, the whl for two. We as officals work our hardest to go out there and call the game as fair was can. We are going to make calls that people disagree with, but that is part of our job. Every one has a right to thier opinion. All I ask is when you judge referees, take into account there is two teams out there. Not just the team you are cheering for.
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