NHL Replay Rules -- Protecting Endangered Zebras
A player crumples to the ice. A referee's arm goes up. Another player protests his innocence. And many times, most of the crowd's reaction is, "What the heck just happened? And why isn't the replay on the big screen?"
Did Player A dive? Did Player B deserve the penalty? Was the ref right on the money or blind as a bat? The speed of the game (and the loftiness of many seats) can make it difficult for fans to see infractions, particularly when the penalty occurs away from the puck. And most times, replays of controversial events are not shown in the arena.
So what replays can be shown on the big screen? At the behest of several recent OFB readers' inquiries (and to satisfy my own curiosity), I sought some clarification from the Capitals.
Unsurprisingly, the NHL scrupulously avoids making its officials look bad, so the league strongly discourages any replays that could cause a crowd to doubt the zebras. The league's strongly-worded policy is clear, as are the fines doled out to teams that violate the policy. While exact amounts were not discussed, I got the impression the fines were significant.
Here, then, is the NHL's rule regarding replays on the big screens during games:
In no event may a play be replayed if the intent or obvious effect of the replay will be to incite the fans or to be critical of the officiating of the game. In particular, close questionable or controversial officiating calls or plays in which no call is made and as to which the crowd reaction is obviously negative, may not be replayed. Although live action is permitted on the video scoreboard, fights and instigating events may not be replayed. The use of footage from the video goal judge replay system is not permitted.
In practice, of course, big-screen replays are sometimes shown very quickly after a given on-ice event--after all, it's a live production. But it's a fine line to straddle, since the league has final say as to whether a given replay shown was "intended" to incite fans or criticize officials--and whether or not to hit the team with a fine.
Most teams, unfortunately but understandably, err on the side of caution to avoid incurring penalties of their own.
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