Welcome Back Hockey
Posted by
tgirsch
Well, I’ve now watched all four Maple Leafs games (Yay Center Ice!), and I have to say, I really like the new rules, even if I don’t feel very good about how the team is playing. Still, they finally got a win tonight, with Tellqvist of all people doing what Ed Belfour could not: protecting a third period lead. Of course, it helps that the team in front of him gave him a two goal lead this time, but if not for some stellar play in the second by Tellqvist, the Flyers win handily. And believe me, it’s all the more sweet with the win coming against the hated Flyers. I know most Leafs fans consider the Senators Public Enemy #1, but I detest the Flyers; even more now that Greg Louganis-wannabe Peter Forsberg is on the team. As it is, I’m having a tough time rooting for Lindros. More on this later.
Some observations, in random order:
- The Leafs are going to have to start giving more time to their young players. Too much of the team looks old and slow, while Stajan, Steen, and Wellwood have looked promising early on.
- Speaking of old and slow, that’s how I’d describe the play of Ed Belfour, especially in shootouts, where he’s stopped just two of five shots he’s faced, and one of those shots just plain missed.
- I really like the new icing rule, which prevents the guilty team from getting a change in.
- By far the best rule change, however, is getting rid of the hated two-line-pass rule. I’ve seen a number of great scoring chances as a result of this, and the game has so much more flow to it now.
- In making the rules changes, they missed an opportunity: full power plays. Scoring on the power play shouldn’t end the power play. Two minutes is two minutes. If you can’t kill off a full penalty, don’t take a penalty.
- Speaking of penalties, so far, the officials have done an excellent job of calling hooking, holding, tripping, and interference. I hope that keep it up. I’m sick and tired of “let them play” being a euphemism for “let them cheat.”
- Honestly, I like the shootout, but I hate the fact that there’s still an OTL point. This despite the fact that with two shootout losses, the OTL point helps the Leafs, giving them the same points as if they were 2-2 (instead of 1-1-2). If we’re going to make sure every game has a winner, then every game should have a loser, too. And if teams are bad at shootouts, that’s all the more reason to sell out during the OT.
- Speaking of teams being bad at shootouts, the Leafs are a miserable 0-for-5 in shootout attempts. And they’ve looked bad doing it.
- As much as I hate to admit it, Lindros turns out to be a good pickup for the Leafs. He’s playing hard every night, he hasn’t resorted to any of the thuggery that punctuated his career with the Flyers, and as far as I can tell, he’s not whining or lipping off, even given the team’s slow start. With Sundin injured indefinitely, we’re going to need him. Here’s hoping he doesn’t revert to his Philly ways.
- I know the Leafs scored twice on the power play today to win, but good God is their power play awful. It’s disorganized, and the team seems afraid to shoot the puck at all. In their first four power plays tonight, they went 0-for-4, with no shots on goal. Worse, they gave up a short-handed goal.
- Speaking of being afraid to shoot the puck, as well as Kaberle has played so far this season, he’s been way too timid about shooting. Good things happen when you put the puck on the net. So if there’s nobody open to pass to, shoot it for God’s sake!
- Frankly, the goalie equipment doesn’t look all that much smaller to me. Maybe when the form-fitting sweaters come in, that may change. But today’s goalies still look like ogres compared to the old 1980’s footage.
- Harry Neale is a hugely entertaining colo[u]r commentator.
- I’ve written about this before, but I’m glad to know that the US doesn’t have a monopoly on obnoxious sportscasters. Jesus Christ, is Don Cherry awful. His commentary is worse than his suits are, and that’s saying something.
- Will the real Nik Antropov please stand up?
- SHAMELESS GROVELING ALERT. If there are Leafs fans in the readership with season tickets, I’ve never been to the ACC, and I’ll find a way to get to Toronto.
- Football’s great and everything, but I’m willing to bet hockey is absolutely incredible in High Definition. And if I’m not careful, I’m going to wind up betting several thousand dollars on that proposition. In fact, the only thing preventing this is the fact that no one seems to be reliably broadcasting the NHL in HD.
- On the subject of NHL broadcasts, there’s some good news for hockey (and for OLN): I’m going to be a Nielsen family this November. During sweeps, I’m going to watch every game that OLN broadcasts, even if I’m not interested. (This is also good news for PBS, the Food Network, and The Daily Show…)
- Hey, OLN: No Leafs games? Only one Canucks game? What’s up with that? It can’t be anti-Canada bias, you broadcast the Calgary Stampede for Chrissakes!
We were at the opener, Devils v Pittsburgh. For the most part, I agree with you on the rule changes, and I am HOPING the players will adjust, because there were WAY too many penalties whistled. If they are concerned about the flow of the game, overdoing it on the stoppage whistles is not the way to do it.
That said, it’s still early. Oh, and boy am I glad hockey is back!
Comment 10/12/2005
Unfortunately, it’s the only way to put an end to all the grabbing and hooking. If you start letting calls slide, the players will start pushing the envelope again. But if you strictly enforce the rules, and do it consistently, the players will adjust. They’ll have to.
Comment 10/12/2005
Yawn!
Comment 10/12/2005
1) How lame is it to troll sports posts???
2) The leafs are supposed to suck, so I understand OLN on that point. And they only have about 90 games or so, I beleive, so some people are going to get left off.
Comment 10/12/2005
Kevin:
1) I’m sure Fred could sink far lower than that.
2) Then how do you explain OLN playing Blackhawks at Coyotes? Actually, I checked, and only three of the 30 NHL teams aren’t represented: the Maple Leafs, Oilers, and Senators, all Canadian teams. The Oilers and Sens I can maybe see, but Toronto? They’re a big draw. Maybe there was a turf war with LeafsTV or something.
Comment 10/12/2005
[…] prior OTL hatred, see here; here; and especially here and here and here. […]
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