Stick Check??

[Dan Wishengrad]

Maybe I'm just being dense, but why would a coach requesting a stick-check late in a close game be considered classless anyway? I know I used this device not to try to have a goal taken away, but rather as a free timeout to huddle the squad while the ref undressed an opposing player, checked his fillings, conducted a search of body cavities, etc -- all of which takes some time. If something DID happened to be found that was illegal and resulted in a penalty and/or a disallowed goal, well that was just a happy bonus. But the larger point is that the NCAA Rules allow for this procedure, and for a coach to NOT avail himself of ALL mechanisms to try to help his team win is worse than being accused of being classless by others.

Unless the rules are changed, coaches might as well take advantage of them as they are written, especially if they might help his team win. You coach all sixty minutes regardless of score, and if you throw in the towel before the final horn you might as well pull your team off the field too. As long as the players are out there giving their best effort and trying to win, a coach owes it to them to continue coaching too -- within the rules.

[LaxRef]

Maybe I'm just being dense, but why would a coach requesting a stick-check late in a close game be considered classless anyway? I know I used this device not to try to have a goal taken away, but rather as a free timeout to huddle the squad while the ref undressed an opposing player, checked his fillings, conducted a search of body cavities, etc -- all of which takes some time. If something DID happened to be found that was illegal and resulted in a penalty and/or a disallowed goal, well that was just a happy bonus. But the larger point is that the NCAA Rules allow for this procedure, and for a coach to NOT avail himself of ALL mechanisms to try to help his team win is worse than being accused of being classless by others.

Unless the rules are changed, coaches might as well take advantage of them as they are written, especially if they might help his team win. You coach all sixty minutes regardless of score, and if you throw in the towel before the final horn you might as well pull your team off the field too. As long as the players are out there giving their best effort and trying to win, a coach owes it to them to continue coaching too -- within the rules.

As I said, I don't get it either.

There's supposedly a "gentleman's agreement" that you don't invoke this rule. I know in the NHL someone called for a stick check in a playoff game and everyone threw a hissy fit.

I think the heart of the problem is that people want to play with illegal equipment. As officials, we've been told to stay out of it. We check sticks at well-defined times when everyone knows to get their illegal stuff off the field, so really the only way anyone is going to get caught is if a coach calls for a check. Thus, some coaches prefer to keep the stick checks out of the game so both teams can have their illegal stuff.

Of course, I don't see how it helps your team if both teams have illegal gear. It's only an advantage if you have it and the other guy doesn't.

Anyway, I'm never going to look down on a coach for calling for an equipment check--except maybe in the 7th grade summer league situation described here--but I will look down on people who cheat in what is supposed to be a game of honor.

[laxfan25]

I know in the NHL someone called for a stick check in a playoff game and everyone threw a hissy fit.

I remember watching that game! (Could it have been Red Wings/Avs? Don't remember) I had never seen a stick check in a hockey game before, it happened late in a crucial game, and the stick had too much curvature in the blade. Penalty assessed and that team went on to lose the game, and possibly the series.
The announcers were saying that the coach probably realized the stick was illegal much earlier in the game, but chose the right moment for the call. I was rooting for the team that got penalized, but thought it was a very crafty move by the competition. Moral: If you're cheating, beware!

[BigheadTodd]

cup finals, kings/MTL. marty McSorley. The turning point of the series, LA never recovered.

[laxfan25]

Ah, the old Whalers logo, from my hometown of Hartford.
Thanks for the history - I figured some puckhead would know the details!
Like many odd sports (baseball, basketball, hockey), I'll start watching when the playoffs begin. I just can't get excited about regular season games, at least wasting time watching on the tube.
Lacrosse however, I'll watch anytime!

[Lax_Stats]

Who is the most famous player ever to play for the whalers??

As far as the stick goes, not having and end cap isn't a penalty, If it was, anytime an end cap accidently came off during a game, you would have to penalize the player. Wood shafts for an example don't even need to have an end cap nor do the Harrow shafts that are constructed with a metal end cap as part of the shaft. All hollow shafts must however have and end cap and by rule it cannot be a "bottle cap" as that would make the stick illegal. I have seen a couple of 3 minute penalties for this violation already.

[laxfan25]

Who is the most famous player ever to play for the whalers??

I guess a case could be made for Gordie Howe...although I can't really say he was in his prime when he played there!

[LaxRef]

Who is the most famous player ever to play for the whalers??

As far as the stick goes, not having and end cap isn't a penalty, If it was, anytime an end cap accidently came off during a game, you would have to penalize the player. Wood shafts for an example don't even need to have an end cap nor do the Harrow shafts that are constructed with a metal end cap as part of the shaft. All hollow shafts must however have and end cap and by rule it cannot be a "bottle cap" as that would make the stick illegal. I have seen a couple of 3 minute penalties for this violation already.

I'm not convinced a bottle cap constitutes a 3:00 NR penalty under either code. Can you provide a rules reference justifying this call?

BTW, how would you handle this: You check A1 at the end of the period, and his end cap is missing. No foul for that, just tell him to get it fixed. But then you measure the crosse and the length is (a) 39 3/4" (b) 42.0". Rulings?

[WaterBoy]

My understanding was that a stick has to be between 40 and 42 inches if it's a short stick, and between 52 and 72 if it's a d-pole, but that's just from memory. So in that case the 39 3/4 would be illegal, and the 42 would be ok.

Upon second thought, if they are both missing the endcap, if the endcap adds 1/4 of an inch, does that then make the 39 3/4 legal and the 42 illegal (after the added length of the endcap)?

[laxfan25]

A missing endcap is like too-long strings - tell the player to go correct it before using the stick again. I would also suggest having him put the endcap on and then do the measurement.
The reason for the endcap "no penalty" is that it is possible for it to come off during play - so the reasonable thing to do is to allow the player to correct that, and then do your measurements. (I dare say the 42" one will become illegal once the cap is added!)

[LaxRef]

My understanding was that a stick has to be between 40 and 42 inches if it's a short stick, and between 52 and 72 if it's a d-pole, but that's just from memory. So in that case the 39 3/4 would be illegal, and the 42 would be ok.

Upon second thought, if they are both missing the endcap, if the endcap adds 1/4 of an inch, does that then make the 39 3/4 legal and the 42 illegal (after the added length of the endcap)?

It is an interesting conundrum. How do we know the guy isn't using this as a way to try to get away with a too-short stick?

I was once told by another official that if it was missing the end cap and it was under 40" to flag it, but I'm not sure that's the best course of action.

[Danny Hogan]

i've never seen anyone warned about a missing endcap. 3 min flags galore

[laxfan25]

i've never seen anyone warned about a missing endcap. 3 min flags galore

Most times as I'm running the field, I'll find an endcap on the ground. At the dead ball I'll ask "who's missing an endcap?" When they step forward I grab their stick and do a quick measurement.
Liley many of our hypotheticals, it doesn't happen very often - most guys wrap some tape around the end cap to prevent it.

[LaxRef]

i've never seen anyone warned about a missing endcap. 3 min flags galore

Next time it happens, get out your rulebook. This is a common misconception, and it propogates like a virus, except it doesn't go away as fast.

[thedude]

Back to the bottle cap thing. Legal or no? the cap must be taped on to keep it in place (obviously) wouldn't that make it legal?