Explore every episode of the podcast Scouting The Refs Podcast #RefsPodcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Little High... and Not Exactly Legal | 12 Apr 2025 | 00:21:27 | |
On this week's #RefsPodcast:
------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. | |||
| Takedowns, Retirements, and Dangerous Trips | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:20:47 | |
On this week's #RefsPodcast:
Plenty of action on this week’s #RefsPodcast! ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. | |||
| Premature Evacuation | 22 Dec 2024 | 00:20:24 | |
Episode 227 / December 20, 2024: With the final #RefsPodcast before Christmas, we look at who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, along with the airing of grievances in the spirit of Festivus! Linesman Travis Toomey injured, Detroit Red Wings’ Jonatan Berggren fined for cross-checking, San Jose Sharks’ coach Ryan Warsofsky fined $25,000 for comments towards the officials, and Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse picks up two for tripping and another two for mouthing off to referee Kelly Sutherland. We’ve got an offensive goaltender interference challenge that put a goal back on the board for the Vegas Golden Knights' Ivan Barbashev after Mark Stone skimmed the top of the crease and, from the same game, no call for a Jack Eichel cross-check that sent the Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm crashing into the boards. Also, a bit of a cluster-puck in Philly as the ref’s arm goes up… then down… but not quickly enough to avoid the Flyers pulling their goalie and sending out another skater… only to draw a whistle for too many men on the ice. We - like the refs did - will sort this one out. We also take a look at The Athletic’s Rules Court, which happens to coincidentally touch on something from Rob Vollman’s Hockey Abstract book on advanced NHL stats from a few years back. (Rob is currently the LA Kings’ Director of Analytics; his book Stat Shot is a great read…) ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A Six-Pack for Player Safety | 11 Nov 2022 | 00:25:09 | |
It was a busy week for the NHL's Department of Player Safety, handing out six games of supplemental discipline, with two Habs suspensions for Josh Anderson and Juraj Slafkovsky, two games to Florida's Matthew Tkachuk for some amateur opthalmology with his hockey stick on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, and a high-sticking match penalty - with a $5000 fine but no suspension - to Minnesota's Kirill Kaprisov. We'll break down the plays and dig into whether they got 'em right. Plus, we can't go a week without challenging an offside challenge, as a beautiful goal from the Ducks' Trevor Zegras is wiped out by the Coach's Challenge. How do you solve a problem like the offside challenge?! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Everything is Fine! | 04 Nov 2022 | 00:26:43 | |
The NHL's Department of Player Safety sending out bills with $8,800 in fines this week with a whole lot of slashing and interference going on. Some sketchy hits with Kunin on Hornqvist and Gambrell on Cernak, plus a Martinook spear. We also break down goaltender interference calls at Habs/Jets and Ducks/Leafs, and discuss suggestions from The Athletic's Sean McIndoe to revamp offside reviews. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Let's Review... Oh, Wait, We Can't | 28 Oct 2022 | 00:22:44 | |
Under review this week: one item ineligible for review. We've got high-sticks at Panthers/Isles and Rangers/Avs, including one that shouldn't have been given a second look. Todd and Josh tackle more video reviews, remote refs, a kicked-in goal at Canes/Canucks, and media comments on the penalty parade from Oilers/Blackhawks. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Insignificant Presence In the Crease | 21 Oct 2022 | 00:23:44 | |
Did NHL Player Safety get it right on the one-game suspension to Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov? We look at the comparables and the rationale, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs' goal lost to a hand pass, Florida's Gudas gets away with one, is 'significant presence in the crease' a new wrinkle in the interference rule, retired ref Dave Jackson adding value, and revamping retro ref jerseys. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| What's Better Than This? | 14 Oct 2022 | 00:23:41 | |
Referee Chris Rooney kicks off (game 3 of) the NHL season with a pre-game speech, more refs mic'd up, Player Safety's first regular season fine, reviewing offside and pucks-over-the-goal-line, eliminating replays, and how the NHL is considering using player tracking technology to call penalties. Yes, really. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| The NHL Season Starts... or does it? | 07 Oct 2022 | 00:22:27 | |
If the NHL season starts in Europe while the preseason is still going on, did it actually start? We kick off the 2022-23 season, opportunities for Euro officials at the Global Series, NHL officials off the ice and away from the rink, the season's first penalty, one more preseason fine, welcome the Seattle Kraken's BUOY, and plead for the return of the ref-cam. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
Listen for this week's podcast word of the day: omniscient!
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| Instigators and Preseason Player Safety | 30 Sep 2022 | 00:22:23 | |
The puck drops on the preseason with our first suspension and fine as Player Safety is already on duty. It's a $5k punch from Petry, 2 games for Melanson, a first for the Seattle Kraken, and two fights -- along with our first instigator penalty. Todd and Josh discuss whether another was warranted, and if the NHL should consider a different approach when it comes to the 2-5-10 of an instigator penalty... listen in and let us know your take. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
Listen for this week's podcast word of the day: calibrate!
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| Making Up The Rules with NHL Players | 22 Sep 2022 | 00:26:31 | |
ESPN asked NHL players what rules they'd like to change. Todd and Josh take a look at those suggestions - including the dreaded trapezoid, offside, 3-on-3 OT, faceoffs, goaltender interference, and even removing the refs altogether - along with a few of their own! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
Listen for this week's podcast word of the day: granularity!
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| NHL Ref Camp Opens, Roy Gets Tossed, and Reffy! | 18 Sep 2022 | 00:20:01 | |
NHL Officials head to training camp, women officials return to NHL Prospect Tournaments, Patrick Roy gets ejected for unloading on officials in the QMJHL - how that may have been strategic - referee sponsors on jerseys, and where Reffy may be headed next! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| New Season, New Refs, New Rules | 09 Sep 2022 | 00:21:13 | |
It's Season 4 of the Scouting the Refs podcast! We're on the cusp of a new NHL season, which means new referees and linesmen, and new rules for 2022-23. We also look back at those who've retired and the loss of former NHL linesman Dan Schachte. Three women work OHL preseason games; is this the year we see a woman officiate in the NHL? Todd and Josh also look at ways to celebrate the officials... including a possible mascot. Submit your nominations @scoutingtherefs. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Hit That Buzzer | 15 Dec 2024 | 00:22:29 | |
Episode 226 / December 13, 2024: Reminiscing about the good ol' days when the National Hockey League would lock an old man in a plexiglass phone booth for a few hours with only a button to press... and where technology has gotten us in the NHL. Get the pool ready -- we've got Josh Norris picking up a $2000 fine for diving, and John Tortorella considering teaching his Flyers how to do front double somersaults off the three-meter springboard. Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson couldn't keep the puck from going over the line, but somehow the broadcast was kept from getting a conclusive video feed of the play. Over in the PWHL, Maggie Flaherty was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Alina Muller, while Susan Tapani picked up a minor penalty for dangerously hitting New York's Sara Fillier into the bench. We also check out a little bit of the life of an NHL referee, including travel, routine, salaries, and bonuses. ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Wrapping Up '22 with WJC and Women's Worlds | 26 Aug 2022 | 00:21:33 | |
Wrapping up the 2021-22 season with two rescheduled IIHF tournaments, as the World Juniors and Women's World Championship medals are handed out. We'll take a look at what went down, including major penalties, reviews, a slew foot, and a memorable moment on the mic. Plus, new officials for the Q and the NHL Exposure Combine concludes... possibly with the next group of NHL stripes. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Rewriting Rules at Summer School | 27 Jul 2022 | 00:21:30 | |
Rule book changes coming for the IIHF and NCAA, including headshots and hand passes. NHL reportedly mulling over a potential expansion of penalty reviews, Todd and Josh look at some other potential changes on minor penalties, how My Cousin Vinny relates to NHL Video Reviews, and an interesting prospect camp take on penalty shots. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
This week's Word of the Podcast: incongruous.
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| Unrivaled, Summer Plans, and Abuse of the Cup | 08 Jul 2022 | 00:20:39 | |
Refs at the NHL draft, the Colorado Avalanche abusing the Stanley Cup, summer camps and the NHL Officiating Combine, and looking back at the 'Unrivaled' battle between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings - and the officiating and Player Safety rulings of those conflicts, plus an All-Star Skills Competition suggestion for linesmen. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Two Birds, One Draft, No Whistles | 01 Jul 2022 | 00:23:50 | |
Where the whistles at?! Was Game 6 really that clean, with only two penalties called? Looking back at the NHL Stanley Cup Final non-calls and calls, Bellemare vs. Manson, McDonagh vs. Helm, Stamkos dodges abuse of officials, too many men...again? Is it time to change the TMM rule? Also, a suspension after two birds crash the AHL's Calder Cup Final, and the door may be open for women officials to join the NHL. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Too Many Men, Too Much Time | 23 Jun 2022 | 00:22:23 | |
Breaking down the too-many-men situation on Kadri's goal in overtime of Game 4 between the Lightning and Avalanche, Tampa taking too much time to challenge an offside, the magical missing four seconds, Kucherov gets crunched, Colorado's Darcy Kuemper plays without a mask, the benefits of 'magic doors', and what happened to third period penalties?! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| The (Stanley Cup) Final Countdown | 17 Jun 2022 | 00:22:56 | |
No kicking motion as Tampa advances over the Rangers, a phantom Lightning trip on Makar, a missed high stick on Hedman, game management is not a bad word, and reviewing the officiating in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final -- but not necessarily reviewing penalties. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Holy Shick! | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:28:31 | |
Koho lets one slip, NAHL recruiting refs, padding PIMs with late-game penalties, looking back at Kane on Kadri, majors vs. match penalties, a critical faceoff violation in the Q, the evolution of puck tracking and offside plays, and was that series-ending goal a high stick!? Holy Shick! Have another donut! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| So... Was It Offside? | 03 Jun 2022 | 00:25:04 | |
Were the Colorado Avalanche offside? Spoiler alert: No, they were not - the NHL got it right. We'll break down why and how that is, along with ECHL refs, Landeskog on Yamamoto, Kassian gets in on the action from the bench, Smitty's lost glove, the founding fathers' rule book intentions... and, oh yeah, that offside. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Going Streaking! | 27 May 2022 | 00:24:50 | |
The Stanley Cup Playoff battles intensify, as do the stakes on the rulings on and off the ice. No goal after skate contact in Calgary -- we break down the play and what the refs and the Situatiom Room were looking at. A pair of goaltender collisions with different outcomes: nothing for Kadri, 5 and a game for Lucic. Plus Florida challenges Tampa twice and the Rangers lose a go-ahead goal on a Canes challenge. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Uniting Fans Through Frustration | 20 May 2022 | 00:29:06 | |
Uniting fans through their dislike of officials as 'ref you suck' echoes through arenas... Ref Rank recalled from USGA event, ref cam returns for IIHF Worlds, Round 1 leftovers for Player Safety, Chiarot gives 'em head butts, no discipline for Zadorov, penalty for McDonagh, goaltender interference outside the crease, Schenn's low high stick, and Flames' Matthew Tkachuk scores a goal that prompts a penalty discussion and a possible offside -- we break down the rules and why it's legal. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Don't Cross the Lasers! | 07 Dec 2024 | 00:22:14 | |
Episode 225 / December 7, 2024: Fines, fines, everywhere fines as the Boston Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin each get $5000 fines. Buffalo Sabres’ Jeff Skinner pays up $2000 for diving/embellishment. Soo Greyhounds coach Over in the OHL, we’ve got a fine and suspension for a coach criticizing the refs, as well as a suspension for a teddy bear toss return; we offer up some alternative, more suitable punishments for Saginaw’s Michael Misa. Of course, we can’t go without Coach’s Challenges, with a close call on a Bruins’ offside and goaltender interference reviews at Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres (one allowed, one disallowed) and Edmonton Oilers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (that stood, despite Hyman standing in the goal crease). Reviewing the rule and how it’s applied, plus, who’s in the Situation Room anyway? Also, congrats to the ECHL’s Sydney Harris on becoming the first woman to referee a game in the league! ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Fines, Fines, Everywhere Fines | 13 May 2022 | 00:25:47 | |
You get a fine! You get a fine! Player Safety hitting wallets hard this postseason. Todd and Josh breakdown Trouba's hit on Sidney Crosby, interference from a loose glove, questioning the concussion spotter criteria, Oilers' Nurse suspended for headbutt, goaltender interference, and a scary moment of ice crew vs. linesman Jonny Murray. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Spicy Pork and Broccoli in OT | 06 May 2022 | 00:24:25 | |
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are under way, with suspensions, fines, penalties, fights, and an extra helping of spicy pork and broccoli in overtime. Todd and Josh look at a rough start to Bolts/Leafs, intent to injure, Pasta runs Raanta, penalty reviews, and a puck that was nearly over the line - along with some hits that definitely were. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Burn the Rulebook, the Playoffs are Coming | 29 Apr 2022 | 00:25:13 | |
Can you challenge? That depends on who you ask... Wrapping up the regular season, picking playoff refs, broken crossbars, missing the boat on mic'd up refs, Lomberg's instigator gets him suspended, inadequate explanations, ref injuries - including a scary situation at the IIHF U18 World Championship, and officiating travel woes. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Two Sticks, No Bucket | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:28:51 | |
The Habs have had some interesting rule run-ins around helmets (or lack thereof) and sticks (specifically, too many). We also dig into Ritchie's slash, boarding by Cizikas, a stick toss from Trotz, penalty reviews, and a look back on Beagle vs. Terry and the trend of teams reacting to all hits -- even clean ones. Plus, Malkin's up next for DOPS... Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Penalties for the Record Books | 01 Apr 2022 | 00:25:42 | |
We've got a new penalty record to enter in to the NHL's record books! Todd and Josh also cover one NHL referee's debut, one whose AMA was cancelled, and another who battled through an on-ice injury. Changing up penalty reviews and suspension lengths, catching pucks over the line, and rewriting some rules... Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Matthews Suspended, Morton Retires | 18 Mar 2022 | 00:23:15 | |
Watch your stick, Auston Matthews! Two games for #34. Referee Dean Morton retires as others are sidelined with long-term injuries, women officials coming to the NHL, Anna Wiegand hangs up her whistle, handing over ref numbers, and discussing the rule - and consistency - of goaltender interference reviews at Habs/Stars. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Late Calls, Tough Calls | 11 Mar 2022 | 00:24:03 | |
Two apparent penalties, two non-calls, two games decided as a result of those plays. We look at Oilers/Caps and Coyotes/Leafs and how calling - or not calling - penalties impacts the game, plus refs' names behind the benches, a double-shot of coach's challenges, Landeskog's comments on officiating, and a Hornqvist goal that went under the net. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Kicking, Bunting, and Diving | 04 Mar 2022 | 00:22:08 | |
Wait - what sport is this? Leafs' Bunting fined for diving, Habs' Gallagher goes for an extra point with a kick attempt, a sticky situation for Blue Jackets' Peeke, harsh words from Sens' Watson, a Coach's Challenge duel, Bolts' Cooper gets tossed after a showdown with 'Wild Wild Wes' McCauley... Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Imminent Scoring Chances and Costly Words | 18 Feb 2022 | 00:23:21 | |
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words cost $25,000 - at least for NHL head coaches. Player Safety also hit the wallets of Buffalo's Dylan Cozens and Calgary's Adam Ruzicka, and handed out a two-game ban to Ottawa's Austin Watson. We've got a no-goal at Oilers/Ducks, no discipline for Borowiecki, a thrown stick, a displaced net, and one more NHL ref with a hot mic! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!
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| Rising to the Level of Supplemental Discipline | 28 Jan 2022 | 00:22:34 | |
Look out! Pucks and sticks injuring refs, Spurgeon's hit to Dvorak's head, Dillon blasts Blueger, Dell throws an elbow on Batherson, there are legal checks to the head, and now boarding: Brendan Lemieux. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Black Friday Special | 30 Nov 2024 | 00:21:37 | |
Episode 224 / November 30, 2024: It’s a crazy NHL schedule this week thanks to the Thanksgiving Holiday! On this week’s #RefsPodcast, the challenges of making - and staying in - the NHL as an official, Panthers’ Tkachuk called for interference without making contact, Timo Meier suspended for making plenty of contact with a cross-check to the face, questionable contact (if any) that led to an overtime goal by the Montreal Canadiens Nick Suzuki, and some contact below the belt from the Habs’ Brendan Gallagher on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. Also, in the spirit of giving, should NHL Player Safety give a harsher sentence to suspendable offenses after the whistle? Plus, we remember NHL referee Mike Hasenfratz, who passed away this week at age 58. ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Don't Get Pissy! | 24 Jan 2022 | 00:22:04 | |
A bunch of battles this week: Greenway vs. Kuemper in the crease, Draisatil vs. Matheson on the mic, Orlov's knee vs. Ehlers's knee, Drouin's stick vs. Seguin's head, Hathaway vs. Marchand, Danault's dangerous trip vs. a slewfoot, and Motte misses out on awarded goal. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Give 'Em Head Butts! | 17 Jan 2022 | 00:24:06 | |
Give 'em head butts... and suspensions! Player Safety hands out one game to Habs' Wideman, three for Isles' Johnson. Hagelin's own goal, kicking motions, and coaching fines. Todd and Josh also break down the double review on the overtime game-winner at Habs/Hawks and controversial too many men penalty at Preds/Avs. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS! The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Challenging the Unchallengeable | 07 Jan 2022 | 00:25:56 | |
Todd and Josh check out some Coach's Challenges on Blues goaltender interference and an interesting rule interpretation on a delayed penalty that may have set a precedent. Player Safety starts 2022 with a suspension as Bennett sits, but Smith doesn't; Boston's Steen scores a memorable goal that holds up after review; Gallant avoids a fine for challenging refs. Plus referee Wes McCauley gets back on the mic. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| 'No Goal' Gallagher and Emergency Back-Up Refs | 30 Dec 2021 | 00:22:37 | |
Breaking down the no goal call on Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher vs. Tampa, WJC suspensions, Olympics changes, Bolts' Katchouk called for passing stick, emergency back-up refs, and players filling in as officials -- how can we make this happen? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| The Airing of Grievances | 23 Dec 2021 | 00:25:05 | |
Let the Airing of Grievances commence! Four games for Connolly, none for Lauzon; Todd and Josh break down the hits. No call on Eriksson Ek's injury, Lizotte's abuse of officials, Binnington gets called for flipping his lid, and an OT GWG where the puck never went in. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Goal, No Goal, No Wait... Goal. | 17 Dec 2021 | 00:23:04 | |
It's a goal. No it's not. Yes it is, only... too late. Reviewing the review at Rangers/Sabres, ref injuries, Spezza paroled, offside rules, water bottle shenanigans, and more Coach's Challenges. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| The Knights Who Say 'Knee' | 10 Dec 2021 | 00:25:20 | |
Ni! Or is it Knee!? Flashbacks of Monty Python this week as it's all about the knee! Spezza and Pionk suspended, Cole picks up a fine, Barone makes his AHL debut, Hawks score on no whistle, Trouba hits hard, and Foligno leaves the bench to fight... or does he? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Is it a Team Issue or Just an Isolated Idiot? | 26 Nov 2021 | 00:25:07 | |
Unsportsmanlike penalties for complaining; DOPS cashing checks after fines to Morrissey, Zaitsev, and Domi; Hartman and Labanc called out for slewfooting; faceoff penalties; stick tape... and what exactly is a 'good' goal? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Katie Guay: The AHL's First Female Referee | 12 Nov 2021 | 00:23:33 | |
This week, AHL referee Katie Guay stops by to talk about making her American Hockey League debut as the league's first female referee, breaking new ground for women in hockey, her NCAA/IIHF career, and the future for female officials in the NHL. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Look Ma, No Glove! | 05 Nov 2021 | 00:26:52 | |
Friendly-fire high stick reviews, Sergachev hits, Paquette sits, Duhaime doesn't, MacKinnon scraps, Subban trips dangerously... again, no whistle on Demko's lost glove, and what exactly IS the maximum fine from Player Safety? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| They Did The Thing! | 24 Nov 2024 | 00:24:14 | |
Episode 223 / November 23, 2024: The NHL's Department of Player Safety finally did it... again. DOPS released a video explaining the rule around illegal checks to the head, including why a few players didn't get suspended. Of course, not all the players were so lucky. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Ryan Reaves picked up a five-game ban for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, while Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud avoided a penalty - along with no fine and no suspenson - for a hard hit on Toronto's Matthew Knies. Player Safety also hit Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk with a $5000 fine - the league maximum - for clipping. We also had a hand pass that cost the New York Rangers a goal and TWO penalties against the Calgary Flames - one for the failed challenge and another for unsportsmanlike conduct after Vincent Trocheck offered some feedback to the officials on a called hand pass later in the game Rule changes are in the air, as the PWHL makes some tweaks to their rulebook for thre upcoming season including the No Escape Rule. The Athletic also asked National Hockey League players for their thoughts around possible rule changes; some were good, others...not so much. Also, a scary injury sends referee Mitch Dunning off the ice on a stretcher. We'll break it all down on this week's Refs Podcast. ------------------ Visit scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS! #RefsPodcast The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out. Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| This Is Getting Expensive... | 29 Oct 2021 | 00:26:46 | |
The fines continue to pile up from Player Safety. Todd and Josh discuss the differences between a slew-foot and a 'dangerous trip', a quick whistle no-goal, stickwork from the bench and on the ice, and a goal-line tech fix. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Head Butts, Parros Speaks, Officials Shortage | 22 Oct 2021 | 00:26:36 | |
George Parros speaks! Player Safety pulls back the curtain a bit on recent rulings, plus head butts, empty net challenges, Faksa and Thornton fined, an injured linesman, and an ongoing shortage of amateur officials. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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| Boarding, Spearing, and Kicking It Old School | 15 Oct 2021 | 00:25:23 | |
Landeskog boards, Friedman spears, Larkin sucker-punches. Women officiating in the AHL, on-ice communication, and Todd and Josh debate kicked-in goals and whether the NHL should expand what's allowed on the ice... and what exactly is a 'distinct kicking motion'? Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com. The Scouting the Refs Podcast is sponsored by Manscaped - use code REFS for 20% off and free shipping at Manscaped.com: the right tools for the job.
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