As a long time NHL Hockey fan I have become increasingly concerned about constant changes to the rules of NHL Hockey.
My overriding fear is that influences that are ignorant of the Game will have the power to change the game from the passionate sport it is into a circus side show.
And these influences reside south of the Border, in the U.S.
As we all know, the mentality of the Americans is "bigger is better", or more is better than less.
These people equate more goals with a better game experience. They think a 7-3 game is, by default, better than a 2-1 game.
In fact, in most cases, the opposite is true. For those that know the game, the higher the score means the sloppier the play. A low scoring game increases the tension and gives each goal and goal scoring chance a greater value.
Good defense is as much a beautiful thing to see as a well executed offensive scoring chance. But the ignorant masses just want to see goals.
The absolutely craziest idea I have ever heard and I hope and pray it never comes about is the notion that the Net Size needs to be increased!!
That would be the equivalent of moving the Pitching mound further from Home Plate. Let's move it 5 feet further out and see how many more home runs will occur. Would that make the game of Baseball better?
And it means an asterisk beside every stat produced in the future. Crazy insane idea.
Recently, the NHL has made some major changes, allowing the two line pass, limiting goaltender movement, eliminating line changes on icing calls. I like them all but enough is enough.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE GAME!. Leave it alone.
In this article fighting in the NHL is once again the subject of debate.
Let's make one thing clear: Fight is Not Allowed in Hockey! That's why a player gets a five minute penalty. Because it's not allowed. So how can you ban something that's already banned?????
Fighting in the NHL occurs so rarely now that, for me, its a non issue. 95% of the players never fight and I will bet that 85% of the players have never been involved in a "fight", that being defined by the mutual throwing of fists with the intent to cause pain.
And when a "fight" occurs it's usually a lame affair where there is mostly tugging of
sweaters and fist against helmet.
The same players that fight play golf together in the off season.
Let's end the debating over the rules and let's just play the game as it is.
