Preventing shoplifting and telling goals

Dwayne Janke, Calgary

I was thrilled to read about NHL's research and development camp trying Plexiglass instead of netting at the top of the goal.

It baffles me that the league even started using overhead video cameras for instant replays without eliminating visual obstructions (goal netting, the crossbar, goalie water bottles and holders, etc.).

Of course, allowing the overhead cameras to see the goal line doesn't do any good if a goalie (or some other player) covers up the puck and moves it forward over the line.

You can't properly judge where the puck is if some piece of equipment is obscuring it. The best solution - even better than using overhead cameras - is a technology familiar to any of us who visit local libraries or department stores.

Electronic detectors at exits tell employees if someone is leaving with unchecked books or unpaid goods. Similarly, a metal strip could be imbedded in pucks and detected by such a system located immediately behind the posts/crossbar when pucks cross the lines.

Overhead cameras peering through Plexiglass net tops could then be the backup system if an electronic one failed. And goal judges – who, when you think of it, sit in a pretty silly location to detect close-call goals - would be rendered unnecessary.