Is "Passable" Officiating Good Enough - An Opinion

Ontario Hockey Association officials concede officiating in Friday's game three of the Niagara District East Division Playoffs between Dundas Blues and Grimsby Peach Kings did not meet the standard set in the previous two games.

So, it wasn't as good - but it was acceptable. That doesn't seem quite right.

Players on both teams deserve more. The fans of both teams deserve more.

The fans and coaches expect better than "passable" performances from the players on the ice, the players expect it from themselves, and we should all expect better than passable performances from the officials.

So far, from the goalie crease out, both teams have played much better than "passable".

Tonight brings Game Four of the series back to Dundas' J.L. Grightmire Arena. And we hope there's a better than "passable" job down by the referee and linesmen. That probably means not really being noticed.

These are talented teams that should be allowed to play, showing off their skill, effort and tenacity. We hope the officials don't overshadow the great athletes on the ice.

All the players on both sides can do is go out and play the best they can. They rely on the fans to do the cheering, coaches to do the coaching and the refs to make the fairest calls possible.

Games One and Two were, by all accounts, exciting, entertaining examples of hockey. There were solid hits, nice goals - and penalties. But everything pretty much evened out and it was the skill and hard work of the players on the ice that made the game.

We're all looking forward to a great game.