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A game in the life of an off-ice NHL official

Off-ice officials work behind the scenes at games.

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Off-ice officials work behind the scenes at games.

 Off-ice officials at NHL games are only in the spotlight during disputed goals but it's not like they sit around praying for close calls to give them something to do.

This team of officials - easily identified by their black blazers emblazoned with an NHL crest - perform valuable behind-the-scenes work that helps each game run as smoothly as possible.

Each goal, whether controversial or not, is reviewed to make sure everything is on the level, but they also compile statistics and ensure that the game pucks are kept at the right temperature and replaced every couple of minutes. Who knew?

In this week's installment of Jetcetera, Ron Ottawa gives us a first-hand look - from the press box down to the fridge where the pucks are kept at ice level - at a game in the life of an off-ice official.

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