Olympic interruptions, blockbuster trades, and Jarome Iginla leading the league in points have combined to make for a strange season in the NHL. With only a few weeks left on the regular season hockey calendar, it’s time to break out the Labatt’s Blue and groan about those hosers from Detroit.
ESPN drops the ball on Puck Accident
The NHL received a black eye this past week as the first fan fatality in NHL history occurred in a match-up between the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio. Thirteen-year-old Brittanie Cecil, attending her first NHL game, was struck by a puck in the head and was forced to leave the premises. At first it was believed that the accident was just head trauma but later complications arising from this accident led to her death.
Espen Knutsen of the Blue Jackets shot the puck that ultimately ended up in the stands. The possibility of blame for the truest of all accidents was questioned in media coverage, especially by ESPN network. ESPN asked Knutsen about whether he felt responsible and if this accident could have been avoided. This disgusting angle should never have been brought up. In a terrible accident such as this more attention should have been focused on security requirements and the NHL dealing with fan safety issues rather than Knutsen berating himself regarding the possibility of his own guilt.
Television Stoppage Disease
The Olympic Ice Hockey vs. NHL Hockey debate has long since passed, yet the issue of television timeouts during the respective coverage remains a more troubling issue than discrepancies in rink size. During goals, icing, and face-offs the NHL ceases play to allow television stations to broadcast commercials to the TV audiences.
This is the main reason why fans like myself find it quite difficult to sit and watch an entire game without being tempted to flip channels. Today’s NHL game lacks the fluidity possessed by the Olympic game. Even the contests I have attended in person so far this season have been choppy and broken-resembling something closer to a horse race than a hockey game. Puck drop.stick check.pass.check..shot. deflect.pass.USE 1-800-CALL-ATT..puck drop.pass..check..PEPSI, FOR THOSE WHO THINK YOUNG.. When watching an NHL game I’d like to see more Gretzky and fewer jet skis.
Mediocre? .Here’s your playoff berth
As usual, many mediocre hockey teams will make the playoffs and force us to watch two months of playoff hockey before a Stanley Cup Champion is determined. The New York Rangers, off to a hot start this season, declined steadily after early December and presently hold a 31-34-4-4 record. But Fleury, Lindros, Bure and co. still have a great chance to be a playoff team.
This year’s Rangers, while not as pathetic as teams of the past few years does not hold water to powerhouse Boston or the legendary squad in Detroit. And this despite a star-studded, overpaid lineup. Yet the New Yorkers will get as much of a chance to move on despite their mediocrity.
This sixteen-team format has been under scrutiny for years; a chatter of background music to what actually happens each season. In the NFL for example, only 12 of the 32 teams earn the right to play in the postseason. Compare that number with 16 out of 30 and you make the call.
The possibility of a higher level of play during the late season months becomes increased when making playoffs is on the line, and not just grabbing a five or six seed (which can also be tricky). Teams will want to lose to get the no. 6 spot in the East in order to play Carolina, a team much more dangerous than fourth-seeded Toronto.