Tony
08-23-2005, 11:02 PM
It is about time...after too long of a wait we will finally get to see hockey return to action. Lots will be new, with the rosters of most teams being quite different. The Pens are excited about high profile rookie Sidney Crosby, the Flyers are stoked about Forsburg and their three massive defensemen (including Roadtrip's boy Derrian Hatcher). Also staking an early claim to Lord Stanley's cup are fans in Calgary, Edmonton, and Anaheim....based on their supposed success in landing free agents.
In Hockeytown there is also excitement, with Captain Steve Yzerman, warrior Chris Chelios, and Irishman Brendan Shanahan all returning, along with Niklas (Norris) Lidstrom...not to mention a new coach!
There will be several rule changes also (see below). Most of these are good, depending on whether they actually do crack down on obstruction and interference or not. We've heard that for several years and it has not materialized.
Hopefully you get Comcast's "Outdoor Life" channel, this is who got the NHL TV contract instead of ESPN! That is kind of embarassing, but hopefully it will all work out in the long run.
GO WINGS!!
- Allowing the two-line pass (no red line) like international hockey;
- Reduction in size of goalie equipment;
- Using the AHL crease and limits on goaltender puck handling;
- No tie games; using a penalty shootout after overtime; After a five minute overtime, three players will be selected from each team for the shootout. If still tied, it will then be a sudden death shootout;
- No-touch icing;
- Bringing back tag-up offside;
- Move nets back two feet towards end boards;
- Reducing the size of the neutral zone;
- A team that ices the puck cannot make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off;
- Officials will have the discretion to wave off icing if it is deemed to be the result of an attempted pass;
- A player that instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and automatic one-game suspension;
- Zero tolerance on interference, hooking and holding/obstruction
- Delay of game penalties for any players shooting the puck over the glass in his defensive zone.
In Hockeytown there is also excitement, with Captain Steve Yzerman, warrior Chris Chelios, and Irishman Brendan Shanahan all returning, along with Niklas (Norris) Lidstrom...not to mention a new coach!
There will be several rule changes also (see below). Most of these are good, depending on whether they actually do crack down on obstruction and interference or not. We've heard that for several years and it has not materialized.
Hopefully you get Comcast's "Outdoor Life" channel, this is who got the NHL TV contract instead of ESPN! That is kind of embarassing, but hopefully it will all work out in the long run.
GO WINGS!!
- Allowing the two-line pass (no red line) like international hockey;
- Reduction in size of goalie equipment;
- Using the AHL crease and limits on goaltender puck handling;
- No tie games; using a penalty shootout after overtime; After a five minute overtime, three players will be selected from each team for the shootout. If still tied, it will then be a sudden death shootout;
- No-touch icing;
- Bringing back tag-up offside;
- Move nets back two feet towards end boards;
- Reducing the size of the neutral zone;
- A team that ices the puck cannot make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off;
- Officials will have the discretion to wave off icing if it is deemed to be the result of an attempted pass;
- A player that instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and automatic one-game suspension;
- Zero tolerance on interference, hooking and holding/obstruction
- Delay of game penalties for any players shooting the puck over the glass in his defensive zone.