I however agree with Glen, especially when you look at the total number of penalties during each period. If we ignore the penalties given in OT (because OT does not happen every game, and it’s duration is rather short), out of 11 361 penalties, 33% are given in 1st period, 37% in 2nd, and 30% in 3rd. Those stats suggest that the proportion of penalty is almost evenly distributed in the 3 periods.

Therefore we must analyse the drop for hooking and interference during the third period by asking this question: can those variations be attributed to the way referes attribute penalties in the 3rd period, or the teams play in the 3rd period ? Without any data to verify this, I would be tempted to intuitively believe that teams change their style of play during the 3rd period.

Theorically, the job of the referees should be the direct cause of the way the teams play. And it seems logical to me that the “time is going up” effect in the end of the game affects the way teams play, according to the game context.

But my first point still stands.

Out of curiosity, what are the infractions you left out of your totals? The total number of penalties called per period in your chart doesn’t add up to the total number of penalties called. What did you leave out and why?

In a close game, teams will tend to be more cautious about certain things, either protecting a lead or trying to come back. The leading team will often sit back in a more defensive posture.

Play around the net doesn’t change much, so calls like goalie interference and cross-checking see little change. ‘Accidental’ fouls like high-sticking and boarding also see little change.

Extra caution and one team being less aggressive goes a long way towards explaining the discrepancy. I’m not saying the refs are great, and I’m sure there are cases of refs letting things go late in games, but I don’t think it’s as much of a problem as the stats suggest.

These are Marc Joannette, Francois St. Laurent, and Paul Devorski (a difference of 3 penalties in 1st and 3rd).

Not sure what exactly there is to take from that, more intense and open game in the 2nd? So for these refs it’s wrong to just look at the difference between 2nd and 3rd periods.

I think its more important to stay consistant on a game to game basis. Different teams play different styles against eachother, rivalries gets tougher. You could argue that there should be a machinistic approach to penalties so every borderline call was made and be consistant that way, but do we really wanna see 60 minutes of penalty killing?

In my mind its both the hooking rule itself and the enforcement of it that makes this the way it is. I think its healthy to let a few penalties that are easy go, after all its a physically competitive game, and not Basketball.

And both players and refs do in-game adjustments, what I want is that they are consistant from period to period, and lets the players know it. If they let everything go for the first 12 mins and then suddenly calls everything the last 8 min in a period, that is unbearable. But acknowledging two physically sound teams fighting for 2 points in the third, and letting them play a little on the borderline, that makes for good and fair hockey.

Too bad all the missed infringements that should have been called (obvious holding, hits to the head, cross-checks to the back) doesn’t show up on a stat sheet.

But that’s a different discussion, anyways good work! :)

@ogie – I don’t know – some other common “discretionary” penalties (like Holding, Roughing, Cross-checking or Slashing) are all essentially flat from the second to the third. Hooking & Interference drop…

I have the numbers for each ref for all other calls (other than H&I) – I could publish those for contrast…

So it is likely possible that by the third period the players on the ice have learned how far they can stretch it and not get called for a penalty.

That’s a good point – I can break it down by month and see how it comes out. Thanks for the suggestion – not sure I would have thought to do look at things that way!

Pat – Igloo Dreams

Someday I would like to know the breakdown of each penalty per month because …A big problem is the constant change in emphases on certain calls throughout the season.