July 4 holiday

Last Sunday I officiated a championship game at the squirt level. It was my first championship game and I will admit to being very nervous. Even in a spring season, a final game is a final game. I tried to be very focused and make all the right calls. I missed an offsides or two which is tough but being the lone official on the ice is just as tough. The game was a very good game. It was 2-2 late in the third period when I called one team for two penalties late in the period. It did lead to the other team scoring the winning goal but a penalty is a penalty. A lot of players for some reason believe that because a game is close at the end that the officials shouldn't make a call. Wrong. A penalty is a penalty no matter what the situation or point in the game. So stop all the screaming at the officials and talk to your kids about taking bad penalties. So now we have a break or two before the next season starts. I like the rest but I'm ready to get back out there.