It's Official: WCHA rules on game.

Todd D. Milewski is reporting that it is now official the game from last Friday night between the DU Pioneers and the Badgers will not change, there will be no point given to the Badgers, even though they tied the game before regulation time expired.

I don't think anyone thought the game result would change, however, this now puts the refs in the WCHA on notice, they must do better. Horrible isn't going to be good enough anymore, the league officials must do a better job and the fans deserve better and we should demand better. Excuses from the league office saying that there is nothing wrong with the job being done on the ice is unacceptable. The WCHA officials must make the right calls or face further scrutiny. The coaches should also speak up at the league meeting in the spring.

I believe now the status quo might finally change, the reason being; one of the Big Ten schools in the WCHA has finally been a victim of and lost a game because of poor officiating and the changes will be made, you can bank on it. I pitty the fool; I mean offical that makes the next mistake. I do expect some head to roll, it should be Randy Schmidt's. Can you imagine if this blown call had happened to the Minnesota Gophers? An official would have gotten a public rebuke and suspension following by a firing. Remember what happen to Jay Kleven for making a correct call?

The league's response is more of the same old tired crap, the WCHA admits its incompetent ref made a mistake, his second one on the season, however, the league is also is telling Wisconsin don't go away mad just go away.

Here's the official wording from the WCHA:

In response to the letter of protest filed with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association from the University of Wisconsin regarding the circumstances surrounding the Wisconsin vs Denver intercollegiate hockey game on Friday, Jan. 11, Bill Hudson, WCHA Chair, and the member Faculty Athletic Representatives made the following decision:

After a review of both the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book and the WCHA Handbook, the above has confirmed Commissioner McLeod's interpretation/decision and affirmed that it is not the prerogative of the Association to change the outcome of a game.

In the 2006-08 NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book, under Rule 6/Playing Rules, HR-81, SECTION 39: Protests are not recognized or allowed.

Further, under Rule 5/Officials and Officiating Systems, SECTION 3: The duties of the referee(s) are as follows:
under a. The referee(s) decision is final; there is no appeal.

In the WCHA Handbook, Code of Regulations:
1. Playing Rules
a. NCAA playing rules will govern play in all intercollegiate ice hockey games. Conferences and individual institutions are prohibited from modifying any playing rules except by permission of the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee.

The WCHA earlier acknowledged the error that was made and regrets the circumstance. This decision is final and the matter is considered closed.