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toby91_ca

Hook, Hold, Interference, etc.

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I've been thinking about this for a long time now. Offense has been plummeting again and many subtle hooks and holds and interference infractions go ignored (in some cases, not so subtle).

I used to complain about this type of thing being incompetence of the refs or inconsistency, but I actually think it is one purpose now. True, there still is a lot of inconsistency between games, which is extremely frustrating, but in general, I'm confident that the refs aren't being asked to call it by the book like they were 10 years ago. Power plays are likely around 50% of what they were back then....which on one hand is good....I hate all offense coming off PPs, but it's only good if the reason is because there are no infractions. You now get left with stars not being about to shine as bright as they can because lesser skilled players are able to hold them back by interfering.

I honestly believe the league made a call here to allow stuff to go uncalled to slow down the play again a bit in the hopes of limiting the head injuries that they have largely blamed on the speed of the game. Concussions are down, but is it because of this or is it because players are getting it and knowing they can't target the head? Probably a bit of both, but I do detest all the non calls that have been seemingly getting more and more.

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If there's one thing I ask of the referees, it's consistency. The problem is, they can't call everything. It's not just cause "they're human," it's more because there are just so many calls that could be made, and they can't let the games go on for 4-5 hours. The best I think they can do is to make sure the scoring chances or other big plays don't get stopped because of obstruction type penalties. Let the rest happen.

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I heard the guys on AM550 in Buffalo talking about this. I too, don't like all the offense coming on PP's, so I don't want to see an increase in penalty calls.

I honestly don't know what can be done without making huge changes to the game. Usually I have an answer and opinions on everything :innocent:

I don't want to see the League go to the Olympic ice, I think the game is slow and boring on the larger ice, and it decreases the shots on net. I don't want them to make the nets bigger either, there will be too many cheap goals.

I think things work in cycles, and they should just leave things alone. I personally don't mind low scoring games. I think 3-2 games are more exciting then 6-5. If there was a big decrease in shots on goal, then I'd be worried.

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This game is called hockey, it should be violent, physical and skilled. If stars want to shine against the so called "lesser skilled but tougher" guys guess what ? Work harder because guys like Prust while not the most talented will work their butt of, If someone crosses the line you simple can't count on the refs the game is too fast and there is too much stuff going on...want to change the open season against so called stars ? Get rid of the instigator problem solved.

This season has already been one of it not the most boring since years and I'm sorry but basketball like scores are not going to bring back the excitement...let's make hockey hockey again and then the excitement will come back.

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This game is called hockey, it should be violent, physical and skilled. If stars want to shine against the so called "lesser skilled but tougher" guys guess what ? Work harder because guys like Prust while not the most talented will work their butt of, If someone crosses the line you simple can't count on the refs the game is too fast and there is too much stuff going on...want to change the open season against so called stars ? Get rid of the instigator problem solved.

This season has already been one of it not the most boring since years and I'm sorry but basketball like scores are not going to bring back the excitement...let's make hockey hockey again and then the excitement will come back.

With what we know about concussions and a lawsuit against the league by former players, fighting won't be coming back anytime soon.

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With what we know about concussions and a lawsuit against the league by former players, fighting won't be coming back anytime soon.

Sadly I know that but getting rid of the instigator would be a way to end the open season on stars, because the refs will never be able to see everything and get everything right. These guys are humans not robots so errors have to be expected.

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Alot of inconsistancy I feel comes from the lack of veteran refs. They tend to call a more open game as apposed to a younger ref, regular season and it can hurt what could be a great playoff series between any number of teams. Calls may be let go and NOT called in the last two minutes (per Gary rule).

Interference doesn't bother me as much as phantom penalties. And utter BS calls

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I don't want to see the League go to the Olympic ice, I think the game is slow and boring on the larger ice, and it decreases the shots on net. I don't want them to make the nets bigger either, there will be too many cheap goals.

I get a kick out of this comment because I have season tickets to my local D1 college team. They play on Olympic ice and the pace of the game is not any slower and shots are about the exact same as an NHL game.

And when you get two really good college teams on the ice, the pace is actually very fast. Lot of up and down action, were it's almost a lot better to watch then NHL.

Edited by HadThomasVokounOnFortSt

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I get a kick out of this comment because I have season tickets to my local D1 college team. They play on Olympic ice and the pace of the game is not any slower and shots are about the exact same as an NHL game.

And when you get two really good college teams on the ice, the pace is actually very fast. Lot of up and down action, were it's almost a lot better to watch then NHL.

Yes, but that's College hockey, not the NHL. It's easier to play the trap on the Olympic ice. NHL Coaches know how to slow the game down, which is what the original post is talking about.

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Yes, but that's College hockey, not the NHL. It's easier to play the trap on the Olympic ice. NHL Coaches know how to slow the game down, which is what the original post is talking about.

Honest question, why is it easier to play the trap on wider ice?

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Yes, but that's College hockey, not the NHL. It's easier to play the trap on the Olympic ice. NHL Coaches know how to slow the game down, which is what the original post is talking about.

Well yeah it's two different skill level and uh what? You give the NHL players extra feet and it would be harder to play trap hockey...

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Well yeah it's two different skill level and uh what? You give the NHL players extra feet and it would be harder to play trap hockey...

Just a counter I'd suggest you watch the khl which is more talented than college but has a lot of defensive structure and can be brutally boring

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I hope they get rid of this, obstruction diminishes skill and gives an advantage to the mediocre players. It doesn't take talent to hold/hook/interfere with a guy, its what a player who isn't at the same level has to do to compete.

The only way to really diminish it (I say diminish because it will never completely stop) is to constantly call it. It will suck at first with just a ton of penalties, but it will become a part of the culture eventually. I'm all for hard nosed hockey, but there is a huge difference between battling with strength/endurance then holding someone's stick, wrapping your stick around their body, or taking their legs out.

Edited by kliq

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As shown in the link below, average offense has been pretty stable the past few seasons and is still above pre lockout levels.

The fact that offense is down from the 80's and 90's I don't think has much to do with hooking/holding etc....it has more to do with how the players within the game has changed. Goalies are bigger, their equipment is bigger, parity has been increased, the overall talent level has risen dramatically and there are no truly terrible teams that completely lack competent goaltending or any concept of how to play defense. The development of butterfly style goaltending and the advancement of advanced defensive systems are also contributors.

http://dropyourgloves.com/Stat/LeagueGoals.aspx

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Just a counter I'd suggest you watch the khl which is more talented than college but has a lot of defensive structure and can be brutally boring

Why should I go watch KHL when I would only know a couple people and like you said its boring?

College hockey isn't bad at all, been watching it since I was a little kid. The atmosphere is most times even better then the NHL, which I really like.

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College hockey isn't bad at all, been watching it since I was a little kid. The atmosphere is most times even better then the NHL, which I really like.

That's your opinion, but IMO college hockey is nothing compared to the NHL, even the atmosphere.

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That's your opinion, but IMO college hockey is nothing compared to the NHL, even the atmosphere.

Probably when it comes to playoffs yes, but there are some regular season games at some arenas where it looks/sounds dead. Even the Joe at points seems boring in some games and it's not even when they're losing.

College you got the students that go nuts no matter what.

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I gotta say, atmosphere-wise College games are unbeatable. I've been to games at Munn and Yost, and they're GREAT. But recently I was introduced to Lynah rink by some friends who are former Cornell grads. HOLY SHAT is that good hockey. If any of you are ever in upstate NY (I don't know why you ever would be) hit up a Cornell hockey game. Their rink/fanbase is incredible

Edited by number9

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Yeah I agree, college atmosphere truly is amazing. I was lucky enough to go to The University of North Dakota and was able to witness Parise, Zajac, Greene, aaaaand then Toews, and Oshie hahaha. I can't speak for other schools but we would camp out for days just to get the best seats in the student section. We poured our hearts into those games as fans. All the chants are unmatchable. The entire crowd sung a song EVERY time we scored a goal which I can still recite. And then when a rival like Minnesota would come into town, it was a whole new level. I know the wings have the octupus that gets thrown on the ice during the playoffs. We would throw gophers on the ice for regular season games haha. College crowds in general no matter the sport seem to be much more energized.

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Yeah I agree, college atmosphere truly is amazing. I was lucky enough to go to The University of North Dakota and was able to witness Parise, Zajac, Greene, aaaaand then Toews, and Oshie hahaha. I can't speak for other schools but we would camp out for days just to get the best seats in the student section. We poured our hearts into those games as fans. All the chants are unmatchable. The entire crowd sung a song EVERY time we scored a goal which I can still recite. And then when a rival like Minnesota would come into town, it was a whole new level. I know the wings have the octupus that gets thrown on the ice during the playoffs. We would throw gophers on the ice for regular season games haha. College crowds in general no matter the sport seem to be much more energized.

True. College football and basketball atmospheres are ten times better than the pros as well. But, my hockey bias aside, I think college hockey is truly special when it comes to atmosphere of the game. The small arenas make the chants and games intense.

College goalies have it roughhhhhhhh during away games though lol

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