Maurice unimpressed with challenge proposal

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HE doesn't yet know all the details but Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice didn't sound all that enamoured with the idea he'll have a coach's challenge at his disposal when it comes to goalie interference or delay of game for a puck over the glass next season.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/03/2015 (3850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HE doesn’t yet know all the details but Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice didn’t sound all that enamoured with the idea he’ll have a coach’s challenge at his disposal when it comes to goalie interference or delay of game for a puck over the glass next season.

Maurice’s reluctance on the matter comes down to this view — if we’re going to take the time for coach’s challenges, can’t we just spend that time getting the calls right?

Maurice made his case to reporters Wednesday when asked about the recommendation NHL GMs will be making in the off-season

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets  head coach Paul Maurice
JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice

“The decision’s going to be made somewhere else,” Maurice explained. “It’s not the coach that makes the challenge and then the ref says, ‘OK, I think you’re right.’

“So they’re going to work really hard to get it right somewhere (so) why don’t we just do that all the time? At the end of the day, if once a year Toronto’s going to look at the video and make the decision it’s goaltender interference or not, why does the coach throwing the flag have anything to do with it? Why don’t we just make that call?

“If we can get it right that way, and that’s the right way and that’s the process we’ll use to get it right, why can’t we do that?

“And the puck over the glass? I can’t tell most times. If the process goes upstairs to get it right, then why wouldn’t we just do that all the time? Why do we need the coach to challenge the play?”

On the matter of the GMs recommending the inclusion of some three-on-three play in overtime in order to try to reduce shootouts, you’ll find Maurice very much on board.

“I’m all for an exciting conclusion, the least of which from my point of view is the shootout,” he said, pointing out that he dislikes ties.

“I have to say from that point of view that we need to have an exciting conclusion to our games. So if there’s a better way… I think three-on-three is far more exciting and I’m all for it. Two-on-two, one-on-one, whatever you want. Anything other than that, but short of us coming up with a better solution I think the shootout has to stay.”

SLOW PROCESS: Injured centre Bryan Little was back in practice Wednesday but his availability remains uncertain for the rest of this homestand.

The Jets meet the St. Louis Blues tonight at the MTS Centre and then face the Washington Capitals here Saturday.

Little was wearing an orange no-contact jersey for Wednesday’s 30-minute skate. He said afterwards that he’s got some hope to play Saturday against the Caps.

“That’s what I’m hoping,” said Little, who’s now missed five games. “The way it’s going, I think it’s still going to be a bit sore when I come back but as long as it’s not going to make it worse, I’m not going to take steps back.”

Maurice was making no commitments on Little’s return to the lineup.

“That’s Bryan saying he’s hoping to play Saturday,” Maurice said. “You get through practice. He’s been skating for a while so that’s a positive. It’s upper-body so his legs should be where they need to be.

“He’ll have to get through a practice of bumping and pushing back and feeling strong and if he does that, we’ll wait until the next day to see how he comes in and then make a decision.”

There was the same no-decision about defenceman Dustin Byfuglien — even for tonight — who has also missed five games. He practised full-on on Wednesday.

“They’re all in that same kind of … they get through a practice and feel really good and we’ll have to see how they feel 24 hours later before we decide if we’re doing it again or they’re available to play.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

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