Hockey Can Be a Thing of Beauty

Well, NBC got its wish with the match up between Pittsburgh and Detroit.  I didn't watch the game (too busy on the pond myself -- indoors and outdoors = sweet), but these highlights are great.

I love to watch great officials work a game.  Are you kidding me?!? Crosby and Geno Malkin sealing the deal with Shoot Out winners?!? More sweetness.

0:05 - Good example of  "who has got the best sight line?" - Stephen Walkom #24 makes the call as the best ref.  I think we have gotten away from "the front ref should always make the call"...that needs to be a thing of the past.  The ref with the best sight line should make the call.

0:20 - Walkom working the goal line/working the puck/working the check.  Love it.

0:31 - Great awareness and patience on Rob Martell #26 on a high stick the puck wave off.

1:30 - Sweet goal by Crosby from Alex Goligoski (good ol' MN boy - interesting trivia - Goligoski was NEVER chosen for any Advanced 15, 16, or 17 team to represent MN).

3:18 - Notice where the ref places himself.  Heck, notice in any game where the refs place themself to view play.

4:50 - Martell on his high horse skating backwards and then has two great wash outs.

6:35 - Great move by Flippula of Detroit and great sight lines for a hooking call (see the 'separation between the two players).

7:05 - Martell uses the goal net to bump around players.  I like that move!

7:30 - 9:10 - You have got to see these sweet Shoot Out goals by Crosby (water bottle popper) and Geno Malkin (sweetest slow motion move ever).

Also notice:
* Pierre McGuire is still annoying, throwing 4 "Edzo" comments in there
* Anyone who thinks Stevens pants don't look good, should have their eyes examined.  These refs look SHARP!
* I think I am starting to like the NHL ref sweaters.  You'd never see me get one (nor will I ever wear a mesh underarm sweater).

And You Thought the Puck that Hit You Was a Hard Shot

Kings at Bruins - 1/30/10
TSN highlight link to the game (you'll see a couple of sweet shoot out goals)


(pay attention to the GREAT organ music - I love that so much more than canned loud stuff)
1:15 - David Brisebois #96 has big-time patience and awareness on line call
2:00 - Mark Stuart, born and bred MN boy,  just destroys Anze Kopitar - Brisebois and #95 Jonny Murray right on the scene
3:00 - Murray gets smoked in the back off an end zone drop.

Question: You got any good (or bad) getting hit by the puck stories?  Once when I was working a Wisconsin vs. Minnesota game, I took a clearing shot that ricocheted funny off the glass partition and hit me in the helmet, right behind the ear.  I got some kind of blood hematoma and right behind my left ear I had this big lump for about 4 days.

How about you?

Takes Stones to Call These Games

Is Phil Kessel offsides? My video slow-mo is inconclusive (gut feel on watching it was he was good). This goal made it 4-1.

The Real Season Begins -- Work for the Puck/Angles

Game 1 - Rangers at Capitals

Those who accepted my offer for homework will understand some of the comments I will make. Those who haven't accepted the homework offered in the previous post can still get in on the action.

Here are a few observations:

1. Ovechkin is one great player. Body checks, goals, assists...take away his goofy behavior and persona and I say he is just like an old school player.

2. Watch the referees...watch the linesmen...see how they work for the puck, get an angle, get in position to best see the play, stay out of play, and give them the best opportunity for success. [[Video on this coming soon -- Tell me, "I want to work for the puck!"]]

3. Just listen to the crowd -- this is hockey AT IT'S BEST!

Officiating Crew:
Referees - #3 Mike Leggo and #20 Tim Peel
Linesmen - #97 Jean Morin and #71 Brad Kovachik


email me -- info@ultimateofficials.com -"I want to work for the puck"

NHL Video - Good Dukes, Good Game, Good Guys

Rangers at Blues - 2/16/09

Crew:

Refs -#5 Chris Rooney (American who reffed in USHL when I first started the league as a linesman), #44 David Banfield

Linesman - #78 Brian Mach, #80 Thor Nelson

* NOTE: Two good fights, one with former Wild player Aaron Voros
* NOTE: hustle of Brian and Thor
* NOTE: #78 Mach's ready position when on blue line -- he's INTO THE GAME!

NHL Video - 3 P's

Ottawa at Philly

**NOTE: Linesmen position on play across the line, the hustle to the net after the whistle to be in amongst the players.

5 Things a Referee Can Teach You About Life

1. Timing -- When you position yourself, the timing will come.



explanation: Life is all about timing...being in the right place at the right time. Getting the right connections, at the right time, in the right place and THEN TAKING ACTION is what this is all about.

How do you position yourself for success? You place yourself in a target-rich environment. In business that means getting yourself in an environment where either (a) you are with influential people, (b) you are amongst people who are likely to buy what you are offering, or (c) both. And you do this all the time. In officiating, if you want to move up a level, it's working with (a) people who are of influence and work in a league you aspire to work in (we will call these people, "Sneezers", because when they sneeze, things spread), (b) officiating in a league, association, or district that has "sneezers", and (c) being professional and polished on and off the ice at all times.

2. There is no substitution for Good Mechanics

explanation: Ever tried to pick someone up for a date? Mechanics are everything (btw, the best line that has EVER worked for me was...I would go up to a gal in the bar and ask her, "Buy me a drink?" Worked like a charm. Don't believe it, contact me and I will give you the finer points on why this works. I will also give you a 100% full proof way to pick ANYBODY up at a bar. Be careful, though, because this is very powerful and manipulative kind of stuff.

I digress...When it comes to being a great friend, spouse, partner, referee, or businessman there are tried and true mechanics involved. Ignore them at your own risk, because they are tried and true for a reason (Need tried and true refereeing mentorship? Go to ultimateofficials.com and check out "Personal Assessment").

3. Appearance is important

explanation: This really helps in the dating area...it helps in every area. What are you portraying? And, please don't try to look like someone else if it doesn't fit your personality. For me, I want to be sharp in appearance on the ice at all times. Players, coaches will determine how much they can get away with by just looking at you, so look the part.

4. Balance between work and family is paramount.

explanation: (1) Why in the heck do so many guys struggle with this? The answer is easy = give her all of your referee checks. (2) Why do so many wives suck the life out of referees? This is a MUCHO SERIOUS topic. You want to change this? Permanently? Go to ultimateofficials.com and contact us. We will be more than happy to work with you and your wife (or spouse/partner/committed relationship person) to create the greatest balance that you could ever imagine. You'll have greater communication, more sex, better relationships with your kids, and you will be allowed to ref to your heart's desire. MUCHO SERIOUS!

5. A smile can always disarm people.

explanation: Self-explanatory

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J.B. Olson

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