EHC Red Bull München talks to referee Martin Frano about the playoffs

Thursday, 14. March 2024 | EHC Red Bull München talks to referee Martin Frano about the playoffs

The playoffs from a referee's point of view: tougher, faster, more difficult!PENNY DEL referee Martin Frano in conversation// NEWSThe playoffs are the best time of the year. It's all or nothing. The game is even faster and more intense, every situation can be decisive. This means a lot of stress for referee Martin Frano and his colleagues.

Last Friday was the last time the Olympic Ice Stadium hosted a main round match in the German Ice Hockey League. The Red Bulls hosted Augsburg - that is well known. But who were the referees? Very few people will remember. A good sign.

"If nobody talks about us after a game, we've done a lot of things right," says referee Frano. The 42-year-old Czech is refereeing his second season in the PENNY DEL. He brings a lot of experience with him.

Referees also have the playoffs as their goal

Frano has refereed games in the Czech premier league, the World Championships and the Olympic Games, among others. In his first DEL year in 2022/23, he officiated in the main round and in playoff games. Including our seventh semi-final game against Wolfsburg.

The playoffs are his goal again this season: "We referees work hard all season to make the cut."

The big challenge

The best time of the year demands everything from him and his colleagues. Because every whistle can decide games or even entire series, and ultimately the title. "Everything weighs much heavier in the playoffs than during the main round. But we also like the intensity, the hustle and bustle and the even louder atmosphere. It's exciting to be a part of it," says the experienced referee.

Frano sees the pressure as a welcome challenge and not a burden: "We are professionals. We know what we have to do and how not to let ourselves be influenced, even in the heated atmosphere. We make the same decisions as in the main round."

Mistakes are part of the game

Players miss 100% chances, goalkeepers let pucks slip through and referees are also occasionally wrong with their decisions. "We take another look at disputed scenes in the video during the breaks between periods. If we see that we've made a mistake, it's very important to talk to the players or teams involved," says Frano. This usually allows the situation to calm down before the mood turns sour.

Communication instead of arrogance

"Communication is crucial here. We don't want to be the arrogant guys with the stripes. It's important to admit mistakes. Players like honesty," says Frano.

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After that, it's all about quickly switching back into the right mode: "Good referees quickly tick off bad decisions and get on with their job. You can't make the mistake of trying to make up for bad decisions."

Cut made

Frano was often right again in his second DEL season - making the cut once more. Only two days after our last main round game against Augsburg, he was in action in the 1st playoff round.

Mannheim and Nuremberg fought a rough duel, which went off calmly thanks to Frano's decisions. In the end, nobody talked about the referees. Everything was done right.