Stripes at Work: A Game in the Life of a Hockey Referee

Technology opens another door to the world of sport.

Recently, American Hockey League referee David Banfield donned a helmet fitted with a GoPro camera to give a referee's-eye view of a typical hockey game. In this case, it was the Rockford Ice Hogs hosting the Charlotte Checkers, farm teams of the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.

Here's a condensed version of his rounds, complete with commentary:

If you haven't had the pleasure, the Teddy Bear Toss is an annual tradition for many hockey teams at all levels. After the home team scores its first goal of the game, fans fire teddies they've brought for the occasion to the ice, where they're gathered up and later presented to various local children's charities and hospitals. Thank the major junior Western Hockey League's Kamloops Blazers for creating this promotion.

And for good measure, here's a linesman who wore a wire for action in another Charlotte Checkers game, compliments of the AHL's Paul Carnathan:

The takeaway is that good officials in any sport realize it's a player's game, and they're the ones who are going to set the tone in competition. The official's job is to ensure the parameters he establishes are understood first and enforced second so that tone doesn't get out of hand.

Of course, in hockey, players do have their own means of settling affairs when it does. That's when linesmen wisely defer until the bout is over.