January 24, 2008
Schmidt Suspended At Least This Week
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod has acknowledged that league referee Randy Schmidt has been removed from his assignment for this weekend's game, and is currently on official suspension.
Speculation began because Schmidt did not officiate any games last weekend, following a pair of incidents for which the WCHA sent out letters of apology for mistakes made by the officials during games Schmidt was involved in.
"He wasn't scheduled to work last week, but he was scheduled to work this week," McLeod said. "He's under a suspension right now, and now we deal with it and make a final decision on the long term. ... He was taken off this weekend's series."
Schmidt was the referee during a game Jan. 11, when a Wisconsin goal was disallowed following a video review. The no-goal, which came as time expired, would have tied the game against Denver. The WCHA sent a letter of apology to Wisconsin, stating that the goal should have counted.
Schmidt was also the referee in a game earlier this season against St. Cloud State, when a Denver goal was allowed to stand, despite video evidence of goaltender interference. A letter of apology was also sent them.
McLeod said he weighed the ramifications of sending those letters, especially in light of calls to replay part of that game.
"I heard a lot from Wisconsin, like 'Big deal, you admitted an error,'" McLeod said. "I've noticed major football conferences, they use the word apology, but they don't change the result of the game. ... The possibilities there are innumerable. How many times have we seen a high stick or off-sides, or whatever?
"Of course this comes a few days after the NBA announces they're playing the last 52 seconds of a game over. I thought, 'Oh boy.'"
McLeod had another officiating incident this past weekend, when referee Todd Anderson grabbed Minnesota-Duluth forward Michael Gergen by the jersey in order to discuss something with him. According to the Duluth News-Tribune, McLeod was at the game and told Anderson that it was unacceptable for him to have grabbed a player. But Anderson was not further reprimanded.
good this is a great start.
Jan 24 2008, 11:11 am by Melvin, GF ND
Congratulations to CHN and Adam Woden on breaking this story. Your site continues to be at the leading edge of college hockey news.
Jan 24 2008, 11:20 am by Jamie, MN
How about Don Adam who was actually overheard at the scorer's table saying, "I just make this **** up as I go", as he handed out a bunch of penatlies. (UAA @ UW, I believe in '04-;05)
Jan 24 2008, 12:59 pm by John, Mpls.
Thank Mr. McLeod for doing the right thing. We all know that these two situations have changed the outcome of these two games and maybe even the weekend series. I know that the games in St Cloud would have maybe had a different outcome and the same with the Wisconsin game. They coud have won in OT. Also these two situations could also affect these teams at the end of the year. When teams are fighting for a top five finish one or two points could have made a big difference. So once again, thanks again for holding R.S. accountable for his actions. Hopefully this will be a wake up call for the rest of the refs.
Jan 24 2008, 6:28 pm by Mike-Minn
a wake up call for the refs and the people in charge of the refs should not only be suggested,but expected, the powers that be have a serious problem when it comes to facing adversity,they run and hide!!! no one available for ionput in this type of situation is simply unacceptable!!! you owe that much to the ticket holders.
Jan 24 2008, 8:24 pm by dale, madison
Hmmm, both games included Denver as the benefitiary of the calls. Weird!!
Jan 25 2008, 1:58 am by
I think McCloud did this reluctantly. The league coaches should demand that Schmidt never ref another game.
Jan 25 2008, 9:21 am by MELVIN
Why is a Big 10 team playing in a high school league with high school officals. There are enough Big 10 teams playing hockey to have them all play in the same league.
Jan 25 2008, 1:27 pm by
"High school league?" Well, this year so far, the WCHA is 5-5-2 against non-WCHA Big-10 teams. Doesn't sound impressive, does it? Well, then consider that four of the five losses and both ties were at the hands of the WCHA's two Big-10 teams, neither of which is particularly high in the WCHA at this point. So, it appears your beloved Big-10 is getting spanked by a high school league.
Jan 25 2008, 6:39 pm by Chris Haake, Grand Forks ND
--- "Why is a Big 10 team playing in a high school league with high school officals. There are enough Big 10 teams playing hockey to have them all play in the same league." ---
This is obviously someone who knows nothing about college hockey. Go watch basketball and rub one out...
Jan 26 2008, 4:51 am by Nick, Madison
I remember the Adam incident well. I believe it was the last time that they had a mic at the scorer's table. I just wish I had been recording the game, it was crystal clear on FSN -- Paul Brown immediately apologized to the listening audience.
Jan 26 2008, 5:55 pm by Jon in Madison, WI
I didn't see the whole Don Adam incident and haven't heard about it until now, but it makes me wonder: was he being serious, or was he kidding around? We all do this all the time, even at work: "What should we do now?" "I don't know...I just make this up as I go along!" By the way, I'm most definitely not a member of the Don Adam fan club; I just thought it should be pointed out that he might have been kidding around.
Jan 26 2008, 10:46 pm by Chris Haake, Grand Forks ND
All I can say is that Schmidt better never ref another game at the Kohl Center.
Jan 28 2008, 12:57 pm by
...or else what? What would YOU as a spectator do?
Jan 29 2008, 10:40 am by Alex, St Paul MN
Why shouldn't Denver have a guardian angel? Wisconsin has had one for years with Campion, and Minnesota has had Adam, and a couple of sympathetic Shepards. It is too bad that Mankato, Alaska and Tech seem to never get the benefit of any calls against historic WCHA powerhouses. The worst call I've seen this year is the "no call" ten foot offside that led to a goal in the UM v. UND in North Dakota.
Jan 29 2008, 1:36 pm by Jim, St. Paul, MN
The league should also prohibit nepotism among its official ranks. I can't believe that Derek Shepherd is allowed to officiate in the same league his daddy oversees. Are you telling me this doesn't cause conflict of interest?!?!
Both Wisco and St. Cloud have a right to be ticked off as do the other league teams battling for position in the standings. But don't blame DU, blame the officials and the league office.
Jan 30 2008, 5:50 pm by Dan Maddock, Parker Colorado
OSHIE FOR HOBEY!!!!!
Feb 1 2008, 12:43 pm by SARGE, MN
Jim, Campion could also be put in the Minnesota camp as well...
Feb 5 2008, 11:53 pm by E! Grand Forks
