My last post explored the concept of Game Management by NHL referees. Basically, the theory is that the referees try to make games more palatable to fans by calling penalties according to certain formulas (or patterns). There was no groundbreaking revelations in that post - intelligent hockey fans have made those deductions for themselves and have probably detected more formulas than was listed.
This post is to be more conspiratorial. Let's discuss "Why". Why does the NHL want their games managed?
Well, the first reason is easy enough to determine. The NHL argues that exciting hockey is generated by games that are close. Like casual hockey fans, the NHL would like the score of the game with 5 minutes remaining to be withing one goal. In their opinion, which has been expressed in interviews, fans enjoy games more when the score is close. Which is correct, of course. The NHL, however, will take steps to ensure that games remain close in order to
The other reason we'll explore is more of an theory, because no actual physical evidence exists. No newspaper would touch this. Gambling. I am not accusing any active referee was involved in a points-shaving scheme, but I'm raising the question. If an NBA referee could do it, what would stop an NHL referee? We've already proven that NHL referees have a direct impact on the outcome or score of games and have identified the formulas that they use to do so. What stops a referee from betting on a game and then calling the game's penalties to influence the score? How easy would it be for a referee to call the game to keep the score close to help his bet? Or worse, how easy is it for organized crime to be involved?
The next post will look at what can be done. Because something needs to be done.
