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Nationals are for the players
not the refs. Yes, you may go because you derive a benefit from working hihg level games with high level refs and players.
We, on the other hand, work all year with the goal of going to nationals and playing the best in the country. We welcome the chance to play great team, and if we get blown out, so what. We are learning the entire time. We learn more toward the end after we have adjusted to the team we are playing. We play interim scores, play to go five minutes and cut into a margin, etc. We are also playing teams that we will probably never see again. We played 6 teams of the 28 that came, and not all of those 28 will ever come again. Unlike local tournaments and leagues, where we can ensure we get more opportunities against our opponents, we are playing people that happened to qualify, paid to attend, and got assigned to our pool. Not likely that the same combination will occur ever again.
As for your finances, I am not sure you have listed all income. You are building skills and adding substance to your officiating resume, which may lead to higher level and higher paying games next winter. Your attendance is an investment, as well as an opportunity to see great players up close every day. Regardless, you are out about $50 after having a great experience in Vegas. We, on the other hand, shell out nearly $10,000 for a team and entourage to travel to and stay one week in Florida.
On balance, I can't see why we should care whether extending a game meets your goals. We are financing the whole operation, and should get to play it out.
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