Peter “Piva” Johansson expressed confusion over Hugo Ollila’s disallowed goal. Photo: Bildbyrån
In a tense hockey match between Vimmerby and the league leaders BIK Karlskoga,Hugo Ollila appeared to give Vimmerby an early lead. Though, the goal was overturned after a video review, leaving fans and players alike scratching their heads.
coach Peter “Piva” Johansson shared his frustration, stating, “We cannot understand it.I could have understood it if it was because Ollila takes Volden’s club with her, but it’s because of what happens after you take it. That Heljemo puts their players in Volden. That was the clarification we got.”
When asked for his thoughts, Johansson didn’t hold back. “I do not agree. If we look at the goal we didn’t get at the end, the explanation was the opposite. You didn’t notice anything on the ice either, but you call it from the situation room. I have a hard time understanding that and we disagree. If it had happened in Djurgården, there would have been a report in expressen.”
“Not just against us”
The disallowed goal shifted the momentum of the game. Karlskoga capitalized on the chance, scoring twice before the end of the first period. Johansson acknowledged the impact, saying, “It is clear that it would have made it easier for us with that start.We had been pretty good until then.”
Reflecting on the team’s position, he added, “No, it is indeed clear that we need to have it with us. When we work so hard, we need to get some decisions with us and not just against us.”
“Working hard”
Despite trailing 3-0 in the second period, Vimmerby showed resilience. Eddie Levin ended his goal drought with a well-executed play, assisted by jakob Karlsson, bringing the score to 3-1. Johansson praised Levin’s effort, noting, “Of course, it’s nice that he gets to put it there again. he’s confident when he gets the puck laid out like that. He has scored the most goals for us, and it is nice that he can hopefully get going again.”
However, Karlskoga sealed the game with a fourth goal in the final period, leaving Vimmerby with a 4-1 defeat. Johansson summed up the match, saying, “We work hard and the drive is there, but it is clear that it will be 4-1 away against a team like Karlskrona. Then it’s game over.”
He also pointed out the team’s recurring mistakes. “It is not possible to invite at least three such mistakes against these teams. It doesn’t work.We have to grind that stuff away.”
“Too Many Mistakes”
Despite the loss, Johansson saw positives in the team’s performance. “We are intense and have good attacking play. We work hard and do a good job.we make too many mistakes,and I thought for a while we got away with it. Now it came back. Against these teams, you can’t make these mistakes. With three of the goals, we have full control of the puck, and if we offer it, it will be difficult. We have to change that, but the performance is very good.”
He remained optimistic about the future, adding, “It sucks to lose, but if we continue like this, it will turn around. The performances are also important, even if we have to get points, and we show that we can occasionally and for longer periods compared to last autumn. Experiance says that if we play like this and create chances, it will turn around.”
This defeat marked Vimmerby’s seventh consecutive loss, yet they managed to stay ahead of Östersunds IK in the league standings.
What specific challenges do referees face when officiating in hockey, especially regarding making split-second decisions in high-stakes situations?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: A Deep Dive into Hockey’s Controversial Calls with Former NHL referee, Mike “the Whistle” Thompson
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
In the world of hockey, few things spark as much debate as a disallowed goal. The recent match between Vimmerby and BIK Karlskoga, where Hugo ollila’s goal was overturned after a video review, has left fans and players alike questioning the consistency of officiating. To shed light on the situation, we sat down with Mike “The Whistle” Thompson, a former NHL referee with over 20 years of experience, to discuss the intricacies of crease violations, video reviews, and the challenges of making split-second decisions in high-stakes games.
Archyde: Mike, thank you for joining us. Let’s dive right in. The disallowed goal in the Vimmerby vs. BIK Karlskoga match has been a hot topic. Coach Peter “Piva” Johansson expressed confusion over the call, particularly regarding the description that Heljemo’s actions led to the decision. What’s your take on this?
mike Thompson: Thanks for having me. First, I want to say that these situations are never easy. When a goal is disallowed, especially after a video review, it’s often because of a violation that isn’t promptly obvious to the naked eye. In this case, it truly seems the officials determined that Heljemo’s positioning or actions interfered with the play in a way that warranted the call. Though, I can understand the frustration from Coach Johansson. The explanation he received—that it was about what happened after Ollila took Volden’s stick—does seem a bit convoluted. Clarity is key in these situations, and it sounds like there might have been a breakdown in communication.
Archyde: Coach Johansson also pointed out inconsistencies in the officiating, referencing another goal that wasn’t awarded later in the game. How common is it for teams to feel like they’re on the wrong end of inconsistent calls?
Mike Thompson: It’s very common, and it’s one of the biggest challenges referees face. Hockey is a fast-paced game, and even with video review, there’s a human element to every decision. What one referee sees as interference, another might see as incidental contact.The key is consistency within the game itself. If a similar situation arises later in the match, it should be called the same way. That’s where teams often feel aggrieved—when they perceive a lack of consistency.
Archyde: Speaking of consistency, let’s talk about crease violations. In your experience, how have the rules around the crease evolved, and how do they impact the game today?
Mike Thompson: The crease has always been a contentious area.Back in the day, any contact with the goaltender in the crease would result in a disallowed goal. Over time, the rules have been adjusted to allow for more versatility, recognizing that incidental contact happens.However, the challenge now is determining what constitutes interference versus incidental contact. It’s a fine line, and it’s why video review has become such an vital tool. That said,even with replay,there’s room for interpretation,which can lead to disagreements like the one we’re seeing here.
Archyde: Do you think the current rules and review processes are sufficient, or do you see room for advancement?
Mike Thompson: I think the system is good, but it’s not perfect. One area that could be improved is the communication between officials and teams. When a goal is disallowed, teams deserve a clear and concise explanation. It’s not enough to say, “There was interference.” They need to know exactly what the interference was and how it impacted the play. Additionally, I think there’s room for more transparency in the review process.Perhaps having a representative from the league available to explain the decision in real-time could help alleviate some of the frustration.
Archyde: what advice would you give to coaches and players who find themselves on the wrong end of a controversial call?
Mike Thompson: My advice is to focus on what you can control. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of a bad call, but at the end of the day, hockey is a game of momentum. Dwelling on a disallowed goal can distract from the task at hand. coaches should use it as a rallying point to motivate their team, and players should channel their frustration into their performance. And, of course, it’s important to remember that referees are doing their best in a high-pressure environment. We’re all human,and mistakes happen.
Archyde: Mike, thank you for your insights.It’s been a pleasure having you here.
Mike Thompson: Thank you.It’s always great to talk hockey,even when the topics are as heated as this one.
Stay tuned to Archyde for more in-depth analysis and exclusive interviews from the world of sports.
