While the young 2018-19 season has brought its fair share of positives through the opening month, there is one troubling trend plaguing the campaign thus far, according to Don Cherry.
“Somebody better get these linemen under control,” Cherry said during Hockey Night in Canada’s Coach’s Corner segment Saturday.
Taking issue with how the league’s officials have gone about dropping the puck and calling icings, Cherry referred to section 81.5 of the NHL’s official rule book for some clarity.
“‘If, in the opinion of the linesman, any player other than the goalkeeper of the opposing team is able to play the puck before it passes his goal line, but has not done so, play shall continue and the icing violation shall not be called,'” Cherry read. “You tell me they know the rule book? These guys don’t know nothing.”
Key to consider is how the league’s officiating is affecting the game’s pace of play, says Cherry.
“Every other sport in the world is looking to make the game shorter,” Cherry said. “These guys make it longer.”
Watch the rest of the Coach’s Corner segment via the video at the top of this post.
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