refs dont cost you the game, the way you play does... stop blamming the refs ... the better team will most likely win no matter what side the calls go... henderson was the better team, and were able to capatolize when they were man down by scoring or fighting off the penalties with good defense by who ever was on the ice... Yes refs need to be consistent with calls, but they shouldnt control the outcome, the better team will

I am not saying that the refs cost the East. I am not asking that penalties be 50-50. I watched the games and feel that with the exception of Haverford's reaction at the end of the game, all the teams were pretty equal in their antics/infractions. That is why I am surprised that the western teams had so few penalties. I am not saying that the eastern teams didn't deserve their penalties.

North Allegheny's first four goals were scored on the power play. The call resulting in the fourth goal was well behind the play with less than four minutes to go. It had nothing to do with the play developing and certainly could have been a no call or blow the whistle and take both players.

I would not have made the call, but I certainly wouldn't qualify to be a ref.

Wahhh Wahh Wahh. I am very disapointed in all the crying that is going on about the officiating in the Ghost game. (especially how it showed its head in the Courier) Yes, they did get a lot more penalties, a few of which were questionable, but the reason for those penalties is Speed, not the refs.

I've seen numerous HGP games all year and they are unquestionably the fastest team in the LBCSHL (by far) and probably one of the fastest teams in all of PA. Every ghost game that i've seen, ghost dominates the game on the power-plays that they get from these exact same calls against their opponents who can't keep up with them (i've coached against at jv and scouted varsity enough to see this common trend.)

NA was clearly a faster team than Ghost. I did not watch the LaSalle game (I listened to it), but it seems like ghost has not met this speed all year. The clutching, hooking, and grabbing was now being called on them, they could not adjust, and in the end (the very end) the NA guys benefitted. Questionable? At the wrong time? ok... but no one on here has denied that they guy committed the infraction.. at the time, i was pissed about it too.

Anyway, Look at the shot total, and how many scoring chances did NA have on the FAST break (and goals nonetheless). Bottom line is that the ghost goalie had a great game, to finish out a great season by ghost. 2nd best team in the state... that's something special.

Don't ruin it by complaining about it. I understand you are disapointed (i really do), but be a MAN about it and put it aside and look at the season for the great year it was (on all levels). Complaining about it only diminishes it. Enjoy it... it's fleeting.

and to the chatty bystanders... ive been enjoying this commentary over the last few days.. but this ref talk sounds like 610WIP... had to say something. if youre going to talk about the game, talk about the game, not the refs.

-James Morrison
HGP '01

i dont agree north allegheny was a faster team. they played a disciplined left wing lock/third man high system. the new jersey devils have been playing this for the last 15 years and slowing down even the fastest teams in the nhl. this system makes it impossible to break out the center of the ice. besides 61 and 65, i dont think north allegheny had any other standout players. lasalle, ghost, malvern, ohara, are all faster then north allegheny, but their system would make all of those teams look slow. many of north alleghenys shots were long shots created by their forecheck. no doubt begley played a great game too. i think north allegheny played a hell of a game, and were very disciplined and stuck to their system. the theory behind their forecheck is to be patient and wait for the other team to make a mistake. 4 pp goals, so they definitely followed through on their game plan. congrats to hgp on a great season.