Hey, We’ll Handle All of the Cheap Shots

Jerry Crowe’s cheap-shot hyperbole [Jan. 27] regarding King Coach Andy Murray “snapping” when encountering “choppy water” would imply to those not in attendance (at the Jan. 26 game against Colorado) that Andy pulled a Bobby Knight and threw a finger or furniture in the direction of the referees. That is “snapping.”

Anyone who has followed the season knows that the Kings “choppy water” was at the beginning of the season, and they have successfully rowed through it--with Murray at the helm.

Andy Murray had every right to be livid and conducted himself quite civilly considering the circumstances. Crowe’s need to portray Murray as a man who snapped because things didn’t go his way was his own feeble attempt at a slap shot.

Marianne Wishner

Rolling Hills

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Many sports fans around the country do not regard the NHL as a major league sport because of the NHL propensity of using minor league referees.

To this bystander who has been involved in hockey for more than 70 years, last Saturday’s King-Avalanche game was the worst-officiated game I’ve ever seen.

The NHL is to be partially blamed for assigning a rookie referee to a game involving two of the league’s better teams. The veteran referee didn’t seem to counsel his inexperienced colleague as the game went on.

It’s inconceivable to me that the NHL cannot produce more competent officials from the United States and Canada than these two guys. They were just plain brutal.

Stu Nahan

Studio City