Olympic Hockey...

[Doc Diablo]

Originally Posted by Cuda Joe

I understand that many people are calling this the best game ever and are wondering why they never get to see many NHL hockey games like this one and to them I have to share this thought and you guys can kick back to me on what you think...

I think one of the main reasons that this game was so good is a complete lack of fighting...seemed to me that this and other Olympic games had very little after the wistle scuffles and rabid punching nonsence that you often see in the NHL. I think the NHL should take a good look at banning fighting and after the wistle crap...that would go a long way to help them sell the game to the average fan.

In addition, I think the commercial breaks were limited and that helped me enjoy the game as well. Kept a much better flow that most NHL games.

Thoughts?

I mentioned that in my first post. I won't pretend to be a hockey expert, but I've always been of the mind that hockey would die without that portion of it. I always liked that hockey remained pure to that portion of it. However, after hearing Lou Nanne talk about it, he put it in reference to me, and made me understand it a little better. What I do miss about hockey is the fantastic checking that you just don't see much anymore. I never really pondered it much other than to think that today's players were just panzies. That's not the case, at least in Lou's opinion. He says that the reason you don't see good checking anymore is because anytime someone gets a halfway decent check, even if it's a clean shot, you've got someone coming after him within minutes to fight him for it.

His point of view is that fighting has become a tool more than an emotional release, and it has actually watered down the physical side of the game far more than fueled.

There's more to it, but what he said really made some sense to me, and you really see the example of it when watching Olympic hockey. If I'm not mistaken, fighting isn't "outlawed", but the penalties are so severe that it cripples your team for doing it. As it is now, while there is a "penalty" it's an equal penalty and it's not at all dibilitating for the team.

I think the NHL needs to think along those lines. Not taking it out completely, but making the penalties much stiffer, and make the penalty stiffer for the instigator. Not to mention make the penalties actually hurt the team, not just the individual. I can think of situations where fighting should still be allowed to happen, but it better be for a damn good reason is all I am saying.