Goal-line technology is controversial; let’s put it that way.
Football (soccer) is a sport that has widely adopted goal-line technology, but you should ask the fans and see what they think about it. The technology, combined with the new and expanding VAR technology, has been riddled with issues.
Sometimes, it’s the fans creating the issues; we will admit that. However, there have been other instances where goal-line technology has dramatically failed, and the referees have accepted the decision anyway. Swansea vs. Arsenal and France vs. Honduras are two infamous games you can Google that reveals how epic goal-line technology can fail.
And it isn’t only the NHL refusing to use goal-line technology. In Spain, La Liga stands firm against technology, only relying on VAR, the referee, and the linesman.
So, does the NHL’s refusal to use goal-line technology make it technophobic or sensible? Let’s explore.
How Does Goal-Line Technology Work?
Goal line cameras and sensors are used in sports to determine whether or not an entire ball has crossed over the goal line.
In real-time, multiple cameras positioned around the stadium track the exact position of the ball using a system called Hawk-Eye. The data from each camera goes to a mainframe computer that analyzes it instantly and sends a signal to the referee’s watch if a goal is detected.
The idea is to make it instantaneous and near infallible during critical moments of match play.
What Happens When an Industry Lags
Technology is a risk. As you’ve read above, football has had its obstacles in the successful implementation of on-field assistive technology. Fans can hate it; players can hate it; coaches can hate it. However, often, it’s a greater risk to ignore emerging tech solutions.
Industries outside of sport know this well. History tells us that organisations and companies – or even entire industries – that are willing to keep up with the latest technologies, even if they feel daunting and divisive at first, are generally the most successful. True, there are red herrings, but decision makers should avoid seeing them everywhere they turn. There were those, after all, who claimed computers were just another passing fad – then, when computers came out on top, there were still those who said online shopping wouldn’t take off, or that online slots in Canada would never replace the physical machines, or that social media wouldn’t interest people.
Why Doesn’t the NHL Use Goal-Line Technology?
Hockey is what makes detection systems irrelevant. Unlike other games where the technology is used successfully, mostly without hitches, thanks to their pace nature, enabling them to catch up easily with actions on the field and off-pitch, with hockey, everything happens within fractions of seconds. Pucks move at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour while players deflect blocks and obscure, often with multiple players on the small goal line.
Detection is extremely tricky even if operated under normal conditions, let alone dim lighting inside ice rinks coupled with glass reflections and sheer velocity involved.
They also have on-ice officials and VAR reviews used in the NHL to determine close calls on goals. When a goal is challenged, the play is reviewed from multiple angles using high-definition cameras.
Should the NHL Use Goal-Line Technology?
There are no easy answers to this question. It depends on which side you support.
Introducing goal-line technology at the NHL might add another degree of accuracy to the game, eradicating ambiguity during those infrequent but decisive moments. However, there could be challenges associated with implementing the system in ice hockey arenas. Considering the cost implications alone, developing an efficient tracking system capable of following a fast-moving small object like a puck under harsh environmental conditions may require substantial funds. It wouldn’t be the same technology soccer uses.
Is The NHL Technophobic or Sensible?
It would perhaps oversimplify things by labeling the NHL as technophobic just because they have not embraced goal-line technology. Their reluctance appears more sensible and valid than the irrational fear. The unique nature of the game and the success recorded under the current review setup indicates a strong desire by the organization to preserve integrity rather than resist progress represented through new technologies.
It is also worth noting that the NHL isn’t completely against technology. The organization uses different technology, like advanced video review and player tracking systems.
To some, this may seem like a technophobic decision, but given how complicated hockey can be, it seems logical. Maybe they’ll change their minds, but until then, it appears the league is satisfied with this approach – mixing tradition with innovative selectivity.
