Ruling-SAIT Men's Hockey Protest-SAIT vs GMU |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2013-14 SeasonDate: February 10, 2014Facts: SAIT is protesting the results of a February 2, 2014 Men’s Hockey game against MacEwan University, a 3-1 MacEwan victory. The basis for SAIT’s protest was MacEwan’s failure to provide goal judges, which is required by Article I Section 13 Rule 4.2 of the ACAC Operating Code. According to SAIT, with MacEwan leading 1-0, the referee and linesmen were out of position and, consequently, disallowed a valid SAIT goal that would have tied the game at 1-1. MacEwan concedes that no goal judges were present during the game in question. According to Mr. Schildroth, there has been a season long technical issue with the goal lights at the community rink utilized by MacEwan with the result that this was not the first game in which it failed to provide goal judges. Ruling: SAIT has complied with the ACAC Protest Procedures contained in Article III Section 3 of the Operating Code by registering their protest in time along with a $250 deposit. It has long been my position that it is not the Commissioner’s role to second guess calls made by the on ice officials. As you are aware, while goal judges are meant to be of assistance to the on ice officials, it is the referee’s call that is final. Therefore, although MacEwan failed to provide goal judges, in violation of the Operating Code, allowing SAIT’s protest under these circumstances would amount to overruling the on ice call of the officials. I am not prepared to do so. Therefore, SAIT’s protest is denied and the MacEwan victory stands. As for MacEwan’s breach of the Operating Code, although I am sympathetic to the fact that the technical limitations at the facility in question may be somewhat out of its control, I see no reason why MacEwan could not have utilized goal judges, as required, even in the absence of functioning goal lights. All that is required is a system whereby the goal judges are able to communicate with the referee that a goal has been scored, which must be utilized by MacEwan in future games. Therefore, for contravening the Operating Code by failing to provide goal judges on February 2, 2014, MacEwan is hereby fined $250, payable forthwith to the ACAC Office. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee February 03, 2014 2:17 PM To: Bill Hendsbee Subject: Game Protest - ACAC Men's Hello Bill, Please consider this email as an official protest concerning the ACAC Men’s Hockey between the SAIT Trojans and Grant MacEwan Griffins that was played on Sunday, February 2, 2014. This protest is a result of Grant MacEwan’s failure to comply with the ACAC Operating Code, Article I, Section 13, rule 4.2 which states “Minor Officials: Home teams shall be responsible for ensuring goal judges, scorekeeper, and timekeeper are present”. It is my understanding that there was no goal judges present during this hockey game and the lack of these minor officials resulted in an disputed goal that impacted the outcome of the game. The score at the time of this game was 1-0 Grant MacEwan and based Ken’s comments, the referee and linesmen were out of position and had a poor view of the play. Furthermore, Ken indicated that it is his perspective, the referee had no reference point when determining a close call. In his opinion, this was a factor in the game. As per the Operating Code, Article III, Section 3, “Protest Procedures”, SAIT is required to contact the ACAC Commissioner no later than 3:00pm on the Monday, immediately following the week in which the protested contest occurred and must submit in writing to the Commissioner no later than five (5) days following the day on which the contest occurred. Please consider this email as SAIT’s official protest for this game. Thank you in advance for your consideration and please let me know if you need anything else to proceed. Mark Pretzlaff - Athletics Manager |