Editorial – As a photojournalist, I’ve witnessed many things over nearly three decades of covering events.
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
But what I heard today at the Justin Williams Cup at the Cobourg Community Centre can only be described in one word – classless.
The Northumberland Nighthawks and the Peterborough Petes were in the semi-finals of the Major Midget AA Justin Williams Cup on Sunday, October 27, 2019.
The two teams do not like each other. It was evident. Throughout the game, it was chippy, but it was chippy on both sides.
Cheap shots here and there. A knee-on-knee that maybe should have been called a major, but referees, I’ve always believed do their best.
They certainly aren’t getting rich from doing it.
And they certainly aren’t perfect either.
That goes with the game.
Players, parents and coaching staff should know that.
But constantly the refs take abuse.
When the skirmish broke out nearing the end of the third period, there was a clear fight that broke out between two players.
It certainly appeared both were willing participants.
At times, both players had the upper hand.
There were other skirmishes that were also breaking out at the same time, so the referees had their hands full trying to maintain control.
They did their best.
When it was over, some players were kicked out of the game, some were in the penalty box.
As time ticked away in the game, I made my way to the score keepers box which is also the penalty box to get the game sheet.
As I arrived, the buzzer went for the final times and both teams exited the ice.
Just as I was leaving the score keepers box, it’s believed one of the parents with the Peterborough team was speaking to a referee (who was still on the ice) about the fight.
The parent kept repeating why the ref didn’t step in to the fight sooner. The referee simply stated he did his best and indicated the way the punches were being thrown he wasn’t getting involved at that time. Simply put he said to the parent, “I don’t get paid that much.”
The referee skated away, but the parent lashed out at the referee stating, “no it was because you’re a f–-king goof!”
There were about six much younger children who appeared to be players hanging around the area and along with myself, it would be hard not to hear.
Someone else stepped in at that time and tried to calm the “adult.”
Tempers flare at games. Emotions run high. It’s what the game does. Hockey is an exciting, powerful game. Always has been, always will be.
But when a parent lashes out at a referee in front of other people, including younger players, what does that teach them about respect?
Remember, this wasn’t doing the heat of the game after a bad call. It was after the game. The game was over – finished.
It was a totally classless act for whoever to state that to a referee who likely could have been doing much better things on a Sunday.
As an update, Today’s Northumberland has been told the Peterborough Petes coach actually commented with all the referees had to deal with, they did a good job.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
