Anyone Else Miss the Larger International Rinks?

[Behind Enemy Lines in CO 11]

So, anyone else miss the larger international-sezed rinks during Olympic play? I used to really like them as it was my only opportunity to see hockey on the larger ice surface.

After watching the first few games of these Olympics on the NHL-sized ice I feel like I am missing something.

Oh well.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I have, especially since I believe that the NHL needs to increase the width of their ice (even if not to the international sie).

[Guest mindfly]

They need to fix a rink that is just between the international and nhl one, that would be perfect.

Edited February 18, 2010 by mindfly

[Guest Lidstromboli]

not at all

[Jocke 53]

Yes

[hooon 1,089]

I have, especially since I believe that the NHL needs to increase the width of their ice (even if not to the international sie).

This.

I remember a thread or article a while back that explained how NHL players are significantly bigger on average than they were 40 years ago, yet the rinks have stayed the same size. There is less room out there, and it might be a contributing factor to the injuries. I can't remember who the source of the article was, hope I'm explaining it properly.

Bigger ice = better.

[adubs 8]

Bigger rinks = less attendance

less atendance = less money

I'm not sure how many NHL arenas can be expanded. The Saddledome was able to at one point but I think they made it permanent NHL size.

I wouldn't mind seeing the rinks go to international size. Mobile defensemen would become even more valuable...

[wingsdiehard13 33]

I don't. It seems like the play is much more physical on an NHL sized rink.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Bigger rinks = less attendance

less atendance = less money

I'm not sure how many NHL arenas can be expanded. The Saddledome was able to at one point but I think they made it permanent NHL size.

I wouldn't mind seeing the rinks go to international size. Mobile defensemen would become even more valuable...

That definitely isn't the main problem here in this case. I can tell you that.

[dobbles 252]

i do miss the big ice. and i do think the nhl should expand their ice. as some suggested, perhaps splitting the difference between current width and olympic width. that could be a good compromise for the short term. as has been mentioned with the increase in player size and skill, the current ice plays too small.

[Finnish Wing 110]

i do miss the big ice. and i do think the nhl should expand their ice. as some suggested, perhaps splitting the difference between current width and olympic width. that could be a good compromise for the short term. as has been mentioned with the increase in player size and skill, the current ice plays too small.

I'd say increase in skill is more a reason to play in small ice than big ice. Skill is mostly about creating space.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I disagree with a lot of those saying the NHL should increase and don't want that to ever happen, but for the Olympics, world championships, etc... I think they should be forced to use the larger rink

It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics...

[Finnish Wing 110]

I disagree with a lot of those saying the NHL should increase and don't want that to ever happen, but for the Olympics, world championships, etc... I think they should be forced to use the larger rink

It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics...

I'm glad they're not making the decisions based on arguments like that. The players play in the olympics to win and I doubt they want the rules to changed just to make it more entertaining. The reasons should be logical.

[Guest micah]

I remember a thread or article a while back that explained how NHL players are significantly bigger on average than they were 40 years ago, yet the rinks have stayed the same size. There is less room out there, and it might be a contributing factor to the injuries. I can't remember who the source of the article was, hope I'm explaining it properly.

I read that article too. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now. I like the little ice. If the "but the players are bigger, the ice sjould grow in proportion" argument is used, then the goals and pucks should increase in size too. Also, beers should be bigger...and cheaper.

Okay, I stand by the last one.

[vangvace 12]

This.

I remember a thread or article a while back that explained how NHL players are significantly bigger on average than they were 40 years ago, yet the rinks have stayed the same size. There is less room out there, and it might be a contributing factor to the injuries. I can't remember who the source of the article was, hope I'm explaining it properly.

Bigger ice = better.

I watched a few minutes of the US hockey wimmenz game the other night and they reminded me of the classic games NHL Network shows size wise.

[StevieY'sguy 1]

Yea, I always looked forward to watching the pros play on the bigger surface as well, I'm sorry to see it not being used this time.

[FunkedUp 29]

I think it should be a home ice kind of thing. If the Olympics are played in Europe then they should be using the Olympic sized rinks, and vice versa for North America. Makes the game interesting.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I'm glad they're not making the decisions based on arguments like that. The players play in the olympics to win and I doubt they want the rules to changed just to make it more entertaining. The reasons should be logical.

You're kidding me right?!?! This is the FIRST Olympics that has been played on an NHL sized rink ever... I wasn't suggesting they change anything, just the opposite actually - keep NHL rinks NHL sized and force International sized rinks for the Olympics... I think it's a joke that they allowed them to use NHL sized rinks for these games and it should almost carry an asterisk next to the Gold because of it...

[Finnish Wing 110]

You're kidding me right?!?! This is the FIRST Olympics that has been played on an NHL sized rink ever... I wasn't suggesting they change anything, just the opposite actually - keep NHL rinks NHL sized and force International sized rinks for the Olympics... I think it's a joke that they allowed them to use NHL sized rinks for these games and it should almost carry an asterisk next to the Gold because of it...

I do know that they've been playing in bigger rinks earlier. I think I've watched enough international games to know that.

But they're not making any decisions based on what the fans think is or isn't cool. Or at least they shouldn't.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Finnish Wing

[stevkrause 1,247]

I do know that they've been playing in bigger rinks earlier. I think I've watched enough international games to know that.

But they're not making any decisions based on what the fans think is or isn't cool. Or at least they shouldn't.

You need to go back and re-read my posts... or we're having a language disconnect here...

You're obviously missing my point...

[Finnish Wing 110]

You need to go back and re-read my posts... or we're having a language disconnect here...

You're obviously missing my point...

"It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics..."

That's the only argument you've had so far in this thread regarding rink size in olympics.

Maybe you had some other point there as well, but you certainly didn't bring it up.

Now, I don't support IIHF doing any decisions based on what fans think is cool. And by the way, that's only NA point of view. We Europeans do see international rink-size often. That's why that's a poor argument. There is ice-hockey also outside NA.

edit: Also, I'm not supporting either rink-sizes here. I'm just saying that argument was very poor.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Finnish Wing

[stevkrause 1,247]

"It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics..."

That's the only argument you've had so far in this thread regarding rink size in olympics.

Maybe you had some other point there as well, but you certainly didn't bring it up.

ok, I'm convinced at this point that you're arguing just to argue...

That comment was a RESPONSE(not argument) to the thread, saying that I missed the larger rinks in these Olympics and that was one of the reasons WHY I missed it - I NEVER, in any way, shape or form advocated them changing ANYTHING. - You're not making sense...

The Olympics were ALWAYS played on international sized rinks in the past and it annoys me that this Olympics is being played on a NA sized rink, the same way it would annoy me if they had always been played on NA sized rinks, then the Olympics went to, say, Finland, and they decided to use international sized ice... how did you not get that??

Now, I don't support IIHF doing any decisions based on what fans think is cool. And by the way, that's only NA point of view. We Europeans do see international rink-size often. That's why that's a poor argument. There is ice-hockey also outside NA.

What does this have to do with ANYTHING I said... once again...

RE-READ WHAT I POSTED.

What are you not getting here, or are you just being an ass???

Edited February 19, 2010 by stevkrause

[Finnish Wing 110]

"I disagree with a lot of those saying the NHL should increase and don't want that to ever happen, but for the Olympics, world championships, etc... I think they should be forced to use the larger rink

It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics..."

You're saying that international games should be in larger rinks because people don't see it so often. That's basically ignoring fans outside NA, which is stupid. Just because something is cool according to some fan, isn't good enough reason for IIHF decision making. The ice isn't different for the olympics for many fans.

So after you say that, I say this: "I'm glad they're not making the decisions based on arguments like that." And then you turn hostile.

[stevkrause 1,247]

"I disagree with a lot of those saying the NHL should increase and don't want that to ever happen, but for the Olympics, world championships, etc... I think they should be forced to use the larger rink

It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics..."

You're saying that international games should be in larger rinks because people don't see it so often. That's basically ignoring fans outside NA, which is stupid. Just because something is cool according to some fan, isn't good enough reason for IIHF decision making. The ice isn't different for the olympics for many fans.

So after you say that, I say this: "I'm glad they're not making the decisions based on arguments like that." And then you turn hostile.

I'm not turning hostile... you're just blowing my mind, I don't know how much clearer I can be...

I was saying that ALL games should be played on the rinks that they have always been played on and an exception should not have been made for the 2010 Olympics. That is as simple as I can put it... everything else was simply my PERSONAL reasons for disliking them using the NA rinks in the 2010 Olympics and was in no way a suggestion to the IIHF changing ANYTHING based on that OPINION...

I'm really dumbfounded here by your lack of ability to grasp that...

Edited February 19, 2010 by stevkrause

[Inultus 12]

Having played on both sized rinks I prefer NHL but like watching it on international ice. I do miss it a bit, but mostly just because I don't think they should have changed it.