Rock Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 McKenzie: Shootout in the new NHL? http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie.asp TSN.ca Staff 11/24/2004 At some point, the NHL is going to resume play. And when that happens, the poor fan who has been taking it in the shorts during this lockout will suddenly become the guy everyone wants to cozy up to. Which is why you can pretty much expect that when the NHL does start up again, it will do so with shootouts to settle tie games. The shootouts are being used in the American Hockey League this season as part of an NHL trial so it's not as if the league wasn't already thinking seriously of it. But the new era, whenever and whatever that will be, is going to be all about fan friendliness and shootouts are right up that alley. The shootouts have been well received in the AHL this season, but they may need some fine-tuning. For example, after 20 minutes of third period play and five minutes of overtime, the ice conditions aren't great. Skilled players are having trouble controlling the puck and that's minimizing the skill aspect of the exercise. One possible solution is to quickly put the Zamboni on the ice and make a quick pass to scrape, not flood, the areas around each goal. Either that, or a quick sweeping of the goal areas and slot to get rid of snow buildup. Another issue is that many fans in the rink don't fully understand what is happening during the shootout, that if one team has a 2-0 lead in the shootout and the fourth shooter for the losing team misses, it's all over. It may be that some in-house P.A. is required to set up each shot. And finally, the current rules allow for the first five shooters to keep shooting if it goes into extra shots and there's a thought it would be that much more exciting if no player gets to shoot more than once and that the longer the shootout goes, the more likely it is to be ended by an unlikely hero. But these potential tweaks aside, you should prepare yourself for the inevitability of shootouts in the NHL. That is, if they ever start playing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidgetess Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 "And finally, the current rules allow for the first five shooters to keep shooting if it goes into extra shots and there's a thought it would be that much more exciting if no player gets to shoot more than once and that the longer the shootout goes, the more likely it is to be ended by an unlikely hero." <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Now THAT would be interesting! It would make the shootouts seem like it's more of a total team effort than the team with the best 5 shooters or the best goaltender wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 Not a fan of shootouts, but I'll reserve judgment until I see it. Odd article, the guy begins by saying - At some point the NHL will resume play. But then ends the article with - That is, if they ever start playing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 The shootouts have been well received in the AHL this season, but they may need some fine-tuning. Is he kidding ? If the league installs shootouts, that's a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 "And finally, the current rules allow for the first five shooters to keep shooting if it goes into extra shots and there's a thought it would be that much more exciting if no player gets to shoot more than once and that the longer the shootout goes, the more likely it is to be ended by an unlikely hero." Now THAT would be interesting! It would make the shootouts seem like it's more of a total team effort than the team with the best 5 shooters or the best goaltender wins. "Skrlac shoots and scores! The River Rats win the shootout 17-16!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsGoDevils Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 McKenzie: Shootout in the new NHL? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Gawd NOoooooooooooooo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 the league was a joke as it is. nothing surprises me with the NHL anymore. They have more to gain by courting old die hard fans who've been turned off by the game than apathetic casual fans. I guess they'll have to learn things the hard way again, get ready for pink ice and shootouts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOTCB Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 (edited) How about this for an idea: Can BOTH sides work on getting hockey back altogether first??? Nah, thats too obvious Edited November 25, 2004 by Legend Of the Clown Banner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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