Obstruction, Hooking, Slashing. Holding, Clutching, and Grabbing

[Guest micah]

You know the term "Gordie Howe Hattrick"? (1goal, 1 assist and a fight). Gordie Howe only had ONE his entire career.

That's because Gordie Howe's fighting prowess is one of hockey's greatest myths. He didn't fight often and was not a standout fighter when he did - he won as many as he lost and I don't think he even got 10 FMs in his career. 1 Fontinato face bust-up does not a great fighter make.

It's interesting that this thread went from "I wonder where all the ducks fans are?" to "go back to your own board!"

I'm enjoying these playoffs very much - I wish the Wings were still in but they were outplayed by a team that is just plain better this year - and alot of fun to watch.

[vangvace 12]

I understand what you're saying. But the fact is times change. In the 1940's-50's the game was played by men who averaged 5'8" in height, only 2 lines of forwards and 4 dmen were used. Goalies didn't wear masks, and therefore shooters respected their saftey and very rarely shot high. Look at old film and you'll see proof of that. There were no slapshots until Boom-Boom Geoffrion discovered it by accident. There were a lot more fights than there are today, but not as much as some people think there was. You know the term "Gordie Howe Hattrick"? (1goal, 1 assist and a fight). Gordie Howe only had ONE his entire career.

Scoring was abysmal too. 3-2 and 2-1 games were the norm but top scorers were still able to get a point a game because they only used 6 forwards really.

1992-93 there was a tonne of scoring. I think 19 of the top 20 scorers got 100+ points and there were two 70-goal scorers along with 14 50+ goal scorers. I look back at his season fondly because it was full of great goals, scorers and, yes, more fights. Top scorers also averaged between 25-35 minutes a night.

But the fact is, times have changed considerably since then. Much, much better and bigger goalie equipment, defensive systems, rolling 4 lines, instigator penalty, etc.

I don't think there's going to be any change to this so the league needs to do something to open the game up again.

Regarding the officiating, I'm going to mimic what others have said here; it's a very tough job. There's no harder sport to referee. Also, I don't blame the refs for the Wings loss in the least. Sure, there were some missed calls, but in the end we didn't take advantage of our opportunites and the Ducks did.

My whole thing concerning the finals is that it's boring from a fans standpoint. I just want to watch good hockey, and game 2 was a stinker in my opinion.

I think the only way the NHL can make a league that features more odd man rushes and scoring is to greatly reduce the goalie equipment (or go to bigger nets - make this the goalies decision) and go to 4 on 4 full time. I know that sounds radical, but like I said earlier, NHL hockey used to be played 6-on-6 but was reduced to 5-on-5 when players got bigger and faster. That's exactly what's happening now.

I don't think a bigger ice surface is the answer as it would only serve to assist in trapping systems. Just watch European hockey. It's boring as hell. I know that with NHL calibre rosters it wouldn't be as bad, but can you imagine what coaches like Jacque Lemaire, Jacque Martin or any coach the Devils employ would do with that big of surface? We're talking a bananza of 1-0 games.

With 4 on 4 it would make traps a lot harder to do. It would also cut out a bunch of no-talent players from the league.

Of course the union would never go for reduced jobs (although, the higher priced players would like it as they'd get paid more), and I'm sure there would be even less fighting so that would make some people ticked off.

I'm rambling now, but my whole point is, I want hockey to open up to the point where creativity can reign like it did back in the 80's and early 90's. I don't think there's only 1 thing the league can do, but a combination. But I think an excellent start would be to reduce the goalie equipment and continue to get the obstruction out of the league.

Good post all the way around.

I don't know if going down to 4-4 full time would necessarily cut bench spots, but would weed out those who can't skate pretty quick. 5 O Pairs with 4 D pairs would be interesting and scary at the same time and would definitely shake things up.

I think that if the league is going to look at goalie pads this year some more then they should focus more above the waist . Reduce the size of glove a little, blocker a bit, and reduce the size and rise of the chest pad. All three can be done fairly simply with the new technologies out there without risking goalie safety.

The mattresses could be reduced more as well in width but probably not length. Perhaps a taper from the ankles to the knee? That way the knees are still protected but there is less padding farther away from center mass.

Finally, has the two ref system helped or hurt with penalty consistency?

[Hank 0]

I think that if the league is going to look at goalie pads this year some more then they should focus more above the waist . Reduce the size of glove a little, blocker a bit, and reduce the size and rise of the chest pad. All three can be done fairly simply with the new technologies out there without risking goalie safety.

The mattresses could be reduced more as well in width but probably not length. Perhaps a taper from the ankles to the knee? That way the knees are still protected but there is less padding farther away from center mass.

It's funny that you mention this because Shanahan was just quoted as saying the competition committee focused too much on the goalie leg pads and not enough of the upperbody protection when the lockout ended. It really needs to be addressed. It's not just Giggy, but a lot of other goalies like Luongo are rediculous.

Finally, has the two ref system helped or hurt with penalty consistency?

That's a good question too. I don't know. It's funny how a referee that sees a blatant penalty right in front of him keeps his arm down while the one 80 feet away calls it.

I don't think officiating in the NHL will ever get to the point where fans will approve. But I hope they can try to keep a consistant standard. I thought, for most games, that standard was upheld through last season to this season. But some stuff hasn't been called with consistancy throughout the playoffs.

[vangvace 12]

Reviving because this article foxsports

The issue will be sent to the NHL's competition committee and to its players for further discussion. And the league will study what other leagues, such as the junior Ontario Hockey League, have done to eliminate blows to the head.

The general managers touched on other topics, but reached no resolutions on:

# Expanding the size of nets to increase goal-scoring;

# Reducing the length of minor penalties called in regular-season overtime from two minutes to one so not to extensively punish teams during the five-minute period;

# Going to a four-on-four skater format during playoff overtimes, as teams do in the regular season, in an attempt to cut down on multiple-overtime games.

[Guest Shoreline]

Reviving because this article foxsports

The issue will be sent to the NHL's competition committee and to its players for further discussion. And the league will study what other leagues, such as the junior Ontario Hockey League, have done to eliminate blows to the head.

The general managers touched on other topics, but reached no resolutions on:

# Expanding the size of nets to increase goal-scoring;

# Reducing the length of minor penalties called in regular-season overtime from two minutes to one so not to extensively punish teams during the five-minute period;

# Going to a four-on-four skater format during playoff overtimes, as teams do in the regular season, in an attempt to cut down on multiple-overtime games.

Why not just extend overtime to 10 or 20 minutes? 5 minutes isn't enough anyways.

The others, while I agree in sentiment, will hold my judgment until I see the results.

[theman19 47]

they've been talking about expanding the size of the nets for years, i'll believe it when i see it. That said i doubt i'll be seeing it any time soon.

[RedRockit 0]

Reviving because this article foxsports

The issue will be sent to the NHL's competition committee and to its players for further discussion. And the league will study what other leagues, such as the junior Ontario Hockey League, have done to eliminate blows to the head.

The general managers touched on other topics, but reached no resolutions on:

# Expanding the size of nets to increase goal-scoring;

# Reducing the length of minor penalties called in regular-season overtime from two minutes to one so not to extensively punish teams during the five-minute period;

# Going to a four-on-four skater format during playoff overtimes, as teams do in the regular season, in an attempt to cut down on multiple-overtime games.

The net expansion is going down. Total non-starter. And I do want it so.....

Don Cherry would have it that we should go back to smaller pads and gloves (since tech has made them far more effective than back in the day), and I'd be fine with that too.

Neither will happen, probably ever. *sigh*

[Hank 0]

Not to sound off like a dinosaur, but both shoulder, & elbow pads have gotta be re-designed, & reduced in size...IMHO waaayyy too many guys are lowering their shoulders to level an opponent (think the hit on Mule - even tho that was a blindside - hard plastic shoulder cap got him on the button). $30-$40 Old School shoulder pads made by Cooper, & Sher-Wood should be standard issue - no if/ands/buts...Same goes for the elbow pads. Gotta agree with Grapes, & Hull 100% on this issue

Absolutely! There's no reason to have hard plastic, or any hard substance, in the players elbow and shoulder pads.

The net expansion is going down. Total non-starter. And I do want it so.....

Don Cherry would have it that we should go back to smaller pads and gloves (since tech has made them far more effective than back in the day), and I'd be fine with that too.

Neither will happen, probably ever. *sigh*

I hear your frustration. In todays day of technology there's nobody on this planet that can convince me that smaller goalie equipment, that's just as safe as today's, is impossible. If Nick Lidstrom can wear skates made of the same stuff his compositie stick is, why can't they do the same for upperbody protection?

I'd much, much rather see smaller goalie equipment than go to a bigger net, but I think we'll see the nets become enlarged before the goalie equipment is reduced. And if anyone's going to complain about it (like me) then the wrath of the fans should be directed towards the goalies. They're the ones that have ruined the game.