What is boarding?

by AlexStitch on Nov 20, 2009 2:45 PM EST Comment 6 comments

Hey everyone, I wanted a little clarification on what exactly boarding is?

I know that you cannot hit someone into the boards when they are like three or four feet out because they might hit their heads or whatever, but are there other calls for boarding too?

If you remember when the Pens played in Anaheim with like five seconds left in the entire game, one of the Ducks got called for boarding Orpik, but he was up against the boards, only his head was down, as in bent over.

If someone could clear this up that would be cool, all of the sites I've looked up said it's just the three to four foot rule and nothing else.

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According to the NHL rulebook:
42.1 Boarding – A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.
So, as you can see, it is not clearly defined exactly what constitutes boarding versus a hard but legal hit. It is left up to the refs to decide. Generally, if a hit is from behind or causes the other player’s head to hit the boards, it is more likely to be called as boarding, but I have seen brutal hits from behind go un-called while a seemingly legal hit is regarded as boarding. If you are confused it is because there is little consistency on the matter…you know, like all the officiating in the NHL.

by OlenWhitaker on Nov 20, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Discretion of the referee is the key…If a player “runs” a guy from behind into the boards it could be called. If the player’s last name is “Ruutu” or “Cooke” he probably gets called more often than players that are consdered cleaner.

A lot of times the refs could call a rough, check from behind, charging or boarding calls on a lot of plays….It’s kind of like holding in football— it happens all the time but they usually only call the obvious stuff that alters the course of the play.

In hockey if you have: a change of possession, scoring chance denied/created or dangerous play that leads to a possible injury is what I was trained to call penalties on when I reffed. I would assume that’s the gist of what NHL refs are trying to look for.

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Nov 21, 2009 12:13 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been a sports fan my entire life… I watch all kind of sports… and a lot of Hockey in the last 10 years…

I can not name a single sport where officiating is absolutely consistent… you will always have the moments when you think the refs are total crap, it’s just part of the game.

I’m not defending the NHL and it’s refs, just saying the in my opinion the officiating standards in Hockey rank “fair” compared to other sports… yes, could be better, but it could be worse too…

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Nov 21, 2009 5:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Being a soccer fan first since i’m from Europe: the refs in most American sports seem more consistent and fairer then in Europe, the video judge helps alot as well.

There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.

by Sid the captain on Nov 21, 2009 7:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From my own experiences, I tend to be a little more forgiving of refs than others…they’re only human and it’s tough to keep up with the incredible speed of an NHL game.

They’re not perfect but they try….I cut officiating more of a break than the NHL executives who hand out inconsistent suspensions

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Nov 21, 2009 9:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Nothing will make you respect NHL refs more than playing house league hockey. Our house league stripes (the ice ones, especially) are awful compared to the guys on TV.

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by winterion on Nov 21, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs