Originally Posted By Pirate Pete Yes....for us Canadians...it`s back. I like the rule changes so far too. Really like the icing rule where the team that ices puck can`t change up. Just good to have it back. Great time to be a sports fan. NFL, NHL,Baseball playoffs,Nascar....it`s all good!!
Originally Posted By Spree I like the fact that the left wing trap(aka neutral zone trap) has been eliminated completely as a viable winning strategy..........sorry Devils , yer going to have to learn how to play real hockey if you ever want to win another Championship
Originally Posted By peeaanuut real hockey never went away, too bad they brought back the NHL though.
Originally Posted By Spree ^quite true. I follow my local team; 2 time Memorial Cup Champions and the first American team to ever win it the Portland Winterhawks----yeah baby
Originally Posted By itsme >>I like the fact that the left wing trap(aka neutral zone trap) has been eliminated completely as a viable winning strategy ------ The left wing lock is not like the neutral zone trap at all. The left wing lock will work very good with todays rules cause it came from Europe where the game is much more open with more open ice hits and not the clutch and grab like the neutral zone trap.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg I hope the new goalie rules keep Cloutier in front of the goal =) So far so good !
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden I'm very excited hockey is back. I like the increase in divisional games. It heats up the rivalries, adds some chipiness and maybe a glove or two will drop.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I know I have worked my way out of WE -- but in this case I will make an exception ( because I believe at least this can't turn partisan- and lib- neo con and all that jazz) - YEAH for hockey's return. And my Blackhawks actually have a team that can beat a local college for the first timein years. Good enough for the playoffs ? we'll see -- they will go as far as Khalibukin takes them...but worth going again.....and old man Wirtz putting seats out there for $20 -- and even ssome gametime nosebleeds for $10 for non sold out games ( most now) - One day the home games may be on TV --I keep a hopin' It will take a while to return to the days when the Blackhawks ticket ( not Cusb) was the toughest ticket to get in town....but I missed the game. As a former college player ( who is waaaay too old to do that any more ) - I missed my favorite sport.
Originally Posted By itsme >>And my Blackhawks actually have a team that can beat a local college for the first timein years ------ Hey V, I had to laugh i heard a Blackhawk fan the other day on the radio talking about the last time they made a run at the cup, how Belfour was the starter and they had some guy named Hasik who was only good enough to be the backup. He wanted to know how is it they have struggled to find 1 decent goalie now.
Originally Posted By Spree The problem with the Black Hawks is that no matter how bad they get their fans keep showing up paying their gate prices...........why pay high $$$$ for talent when just so-so players will fill the stands just as well? Kinda like Disneyland and E-ticket attractions
Originally Posted By Spree Regarding the left wing lock(trap): It IS used by teams using the neutral zone trap and in most instances is considered part in part of the same strategem: <a href="http://www.leaderboard.com/RODENT36.htm" target="_blank">http://www.leaderboard.com/ROD ENT36.htm</a> "The lock is an outgrowth of the modern trapping style of play despite the fact that it employs forcheckers." "Another reason is that the lock is possible because of the presence of the center ice red line.." I think it is clear that the trap, lock or whatever one wishes to call it is going to be dead with these new rules.
Originally Posted By Pirate Pete I believe it was a "different" Hasik that was the backup to Belfor, I may be wrong though. I am really liking some of the rule changes. No centre ice, if you ice the puck, you can`t change-up. Smaller goalie gear is a big one 2. I don`t particularly like the shootout though. Decide it 4 0n 4 in OT.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy Well scoring IS up so far. I like the rule changes, but I would hate to be a defenseman now, they have a lot tougher position now.... they have to actually skate.
Originally Posted By Pirate Pete ^^^ no doubt with the obstruction rules.Defensemen will have to play more angles and not get caught moving up in the play. I like the stick to stick..ok, stick to body...penalty rules.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy Your right Pete. Taking out the red line is going to make the defense have to be ready for those long passes to cherry pickers. Also, now that the goalie cant handle the puck in the corner, the defense is going to get drilled hard in the corner when they go to dig out the puck. Still don't know if I like the shoot out to settle a game, but it IS fun to watch. Goalies are more importnat than ever also withthe new rules. Did you see that rule where you get a huge penalty if you start a fight in the last 5 minutes of a game?? Now why do they have to do that???
Originally Posted By Beaumandy Man Spree, I would love to go to the Hawks game tonight... love when they play Seattle! I have a game tonight myself out at Sherwood ice arena, so I can't make it.... but the next one I am there! Now I wonder if the Ducks can cover the 10 points agaisnt ASU?
Originally Posted By Spree You missed a barn burner. Hawks out shot Seatle 33-16 durring the first 2 periods but only managed a 2 - 1 lead. Then a very bad non-call by the Ref led to a Seatle cheap goal. That touched off a couple of more and by mid-way in the third Seatle had a 4 - 2 lead over Portland despite the fact that the Hawks were outplaying the birds. With just about 3 minutes left Williams pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and the Hawks scored two quick goals with the extra attacker to tie up the game. Momentum was clearly on their side and in OT they scored to win the game........only bad thing is that Seatle leaves town with one point.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy What a great comeback in that game! Good to see Cepek get the game winner in OT. I'm watching Detroit - Calgary now and the open ice and scoring is amazing with the new rules. Looks like they might have actually turned the strike into something positive.
Originally Posted By Jafar30 Hockey's back, like most people I never really cared that it was gone. But hey I found at least something I can totally disagree with Beau on. Beau you do know that Canadians love hockey and some even speak French.
