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NHL Playoff Race!
- Thread starter Masamax
- Start date
I can't believe the Habs lost that game, up 3-2 with 30 seconds to play and the crowd going absolutely insane... it's a shame. Theodore looked pretty shaky I thought for most of the night, didn't have his A game... although Kipper seemed to for Calgary.
Re the status of the league... there's a lot of fans in Ottawa even who complain about the defensive minded strategies (and we're the highest scoring team in the league right now), and honestly I don't understand it. There seems to be a prevalent viewpoint that if you go to a game that ends 1-0 or 2-1 that you got ripped off or something... I don't get it. I've watched some incredibly entertaining games without much scoring that still demonstrated great puck handling ability and loads of gut-wrenching plays... I'll take a 2-1 game over a 6-4 game anyday. It's still good hockey. Now, if only they'll smarten up and get rid of the 2-line pass rule the league would be greatly improved IMO.
I think another reason scores are down is probably due to goalies... I can't remember them ever stopping as many pucks as they have been this year. Even tonight's game, Khabibulin made some absolutely ridiculous saves during that flurry of Montreal offense in the second period, and that sort of goaltending seems to happen more and more often now.
Re the status of the league... there's a lot of fans in Ottawa even who complain about the defensive minded strategies (and we're the highest scoring team in the league right now), and honestly I don't understand it. There seems to be a prevalent viewpoint that if you go to a game that ends 1-0 or 2-1 that you got ripped off or something... I don't get it. I've watched some incredibly entertaining games without much scoring that still demonstrated great puck handling ability and loads of gut-wrenching plays... I'll take a 2-1 game over a 6-4 game anyday. It's still good hockey. Now, if only they'll smarten up and get rid of the 2-line pass rule the league would be greatly improved IMO.
I think another reason scores are down is probably due to goalies... I can't remember them ever stopping as many pucks as they have been this year. Even tonight's game, Khabibulin made some absolutely ridiculous saves during that flurry of Montreal offense in the second period, and that sort of goaltending seems to happen more and more often now.
Canadien players make up, what, 90%+ of the NHL? That's a big reason why I prefer the NHL over the Euro leagues.kserg said:
Whether the Canadiens play on a team north of the border is irrelevant to me.
Caveat: There was a time when Montreal had STELLAR defencemen...it was the coaching, I guess?
Years ago(like in the late '60s), a friend's older brother loved the Habs. Why?
"...it's their skating. The Canadiens are better skaters than our guys".
I think at that point, the NHL had no Europeans & only 2 American players in the league & both were with Montreal. I made sure to point that out to him.
I like low scoring games as long as they're exciting...true, a 6-4 game may not be exciting.nicoli said:
That may lead to a bunch of 6-4 games.
Goalies are a lot bigger than the Gump Worsleys of the past.
Factor in better gear & agility...doesn't leave not much net to shoot at.
nicoli said:
I will agree with that as well. If a games exciting then it's fun to watch. But unfortunitly a lot of 2-1 type games today arn't exciting at all. I would prefer a more wide open game with lots of scoring chances, wether the puck goes in is up to the players i guess.
Also for the goal tending, has anyone noticed how much padding the goal tenders use these days? They are huge, they are all like monsters. Watch an older game from the 80's or early 90's and the goalies look tiny.
JimK said:Canadien players make up, what, 90%+ of the NHL? That's a big reason why I prefer the NHL over the Euro leagues.
Whether the Canadiens play on a team north of the border is irrelevant to me.
Caveat: There was a time when Montreal had STELLAR defencemen...it was the coaching, I guess?
Years ago(like in the late '60s), a friend's older brother loved the Habs. Why?
"...it's their skating. The Canadiens are better skaters than our guys".
I think at that point, the NHL had no Europeans & only 2 American players in the league & both were with Montreal. I made sure to point that out to him.
Ok yes and no
To let you know before someone gets offended by this post, I like America that would be it now lets go on why I think US hockey clubs are not as good as Canadian.
Who controls how the teams play its not the coaches if it was up to Russian couches every penalty kill Russians would be on attack have you noticed that Red Wings when Russians were playing there when ever it was Russian players on the ice they would kill it by attacking and coach would scream and yell:]
So who controls the style the team plays I have to say the coaches and fans
Coaches are ones that tell the team what to-do.
Now the fans I never been to the game in Canada but here is something in San Jose I noticed. I went to few games in regular session this year, people who where there didnt strike me as people who knew much about hockey since I heard questions "so why did the blow it down what is the reason you can't send a puck down the ice when you are in trouble " Thats fine, we all learn
But when I went to playoffs I'd have to say it was much worse people were screaming about stuff that did not make sense This was game 5 of SJ/STL game nabby kept on coming out from the net and playing a puck dangerously but he did it well people were so pissed off about it they were screaming at him and booing even though it were very good plays and he did save the Sharks at one point STL dumped the puck in and developed 2 on 0 if they got the puck in the zone nabby came out and played the puck and saved a goal every one was pissed and booed wth It was a great play but every one was not just upset a bit that he was doing something that was slightly dangerous but they were PISSED off my friend was on other side he said same thing people around him were pissed that he played the puck. Tell me that fans dont affect the game what were NHL talking about? Not letting goalies play the puck? Where did that come from oh right ?
The sad thing is most of those people knew jack about hockey I mean its fine to ask but most of time if someone asked he'd hear 4 different explanations all of which were wrong
Now that is a small aspect of game... but US fans want it to be more of a safe game for win then good game... simply because most of jokers who go to their games know jack about it... no offense but I think Russians / Canadians / Netherlands /etc/etc/etc know a bit more about hockey since they skate from age of 4 then average American fan who NEVER seen ice, yet he thinks he knows everything from NHL commercials were stars explain the rules:/ really, go to the game and take a survey of how many people played hockey or even stepped on the ice once People who play hockey want the game to be exciding not safe... It great that those people show interest to the best game on earth but dont tell your friend that icing is a dumb rule that needs to be changed because it shows down the game and if there was no icing at all then skaters would skate harder to get the puck WHAT??? Are you kidding me? (Yes thats what guy behind me said) another one screamed "shoot the puck" even if guy was behind the net or at the blue line or even red line I dont know but a lot of fans dont strike me as people who know much about the sport
It be nice to know if Canada is same way though because thats my view on why I like to watch Canadian teams more they play more of a game not save game
I wish all this writing was a paper due 2 hours ago that i havent started yet:/
Cheers
- Jan 11, 2002
- 3,042
- 10
- Disclosures
- Artist: JAF Basses, Circle K Strings
kserg said:
Wow, are the fans really like that there? That's just scary... around here everyone mostly just yells to shoot during a power play, or at the refs. That's mostly it.
The fans don't decide the rules. If they did, the instigator rule would have been long gone, as would the red line, non-tag-up offsides and touch icing, to name a few.
I do agree that those that have played the game probably know more about it, too. Would you trust an ex-musician to tell you if that was an F7 you just heard the band play, or some guy who's never even played the triangle?
JimK said:
I ment "its not the players... its the coaches and fans prity much"
Was a long day and i am a dufus... :]
Sorry
Cheers
thrash_jazz said:
The thing is... i talked to some people around here who "like" hockey... and alot of them say "we watch/like it for the violents"
I have never watched hockey for violents... i mean i love good hits... its part of the game... sometimes fights are fun to watch too (also part of the game)... sure... but there is more to the game besides scoring and "violents"
I dono... maybe someone will correct me... maybe its just me or just San Jose because we only had team here for 12 years or so... but this is what i noticed in those 11 years here...
I mean i am not saying everyone is like that... i know some people around here who are fans... and love the game... know about it and are really good fans (i mean ones that never played it, etc etc)... but general idea of hockey is just guys beating the hell out of each other with no rules by alot of people that i met...
I hope I am wrong about this this is my impression maybe someone wants to challenge me on that I will not get offended if you tell me I am wrong and I am a moron this is just what I noticed I might be very wrong but it makes sense why Canadian teams play differently from US teams and why NHL is talking about all those insane useless changes "faking a fall" give me a brake just because the guy is a pro doesnt mean he always can stay on his feet if you see someone faking it just dont call it :/ or c'mon lets make goalie stay in the net and never come out where did that come from wth I just dont see why they have to make change to the game every year
Cheers:]
Go sharks... win at home... thats a good plan!
Montreal is now officially out. Well that sucks, my 2 favorite teams are out (Vancouver being the other). It's all up to Calgary now!
I notice the same thing here. We have had a minor league team for the past 15 years or so; initially it seemed, EVERYONE was there hoping for the bench-clearing brawl(Like the NASCAR fans that go only for the crashes).kserg said:
Eventually, more & more fans 'got it'...still, I can point out a newbie even today. The only time they yell something out(besides "Hey, beerman"!) is "FIGHT! FIGHT!"
I still don't see a difference between Canadien & US teams. To me, Philly & Toronto look like they're on the same page. Same, too, for Ottawa's style of play.
I do see differences between some of the Western Conference teams & the Eastern Conference...it could be me, but I tend to believe the East is rougher with more fanactics in the stands. The Eastern cities are closer geographically...this enables more road trips for the fans which increases the enmity & builds solid rivalries, etc. And the weather generally sucks, too. In other words, we're miserable for much of the season.
The West coasters...play a game, go home & hit the beach.
- Jan 11, 2002
- 3,042
- 10
- Disclosures
- Artist: JAF Basses, Circle K Strings
JimK said:
'Round these parts you either love the Leafs or hate them. Nobody in Ottawa wants them to win either, except for those who were already Leaf fans to begin with.
I think there is a difference between Canadian and American teams in terms of market size (Toronto and Montreal excluded). These teams often have to make do with half the payroll, so they often have to develop their own teams from scratch, without trading for big names. Thus, these teams tend to be closer-knit and often have more chemistry (just look at Calgary for a good example).
Majorly its D... I think canadian D is abit more agresive... In US teams tend to play NJ style of game... They are just diffrent... non are better then other... i just like it other way:] San Jose tend to play way i like... sometimes they are out of it and play boring safe game... usually when they are slow... but for most time they play fast agressive game that i like... watch sharks D...JimK said:
JimK said:The West coasters...play a game, go home & hit the beach.
Dont say that word... pacific ocean is COOOOOOOOOOOLD :] weather is very nice... lakes are very nice... but ocean... ugh... very cold... but ya... i see your point... people tend to get cranky when its cold:]
PS... anyone heard if in canada there were any cases of father killing a couch of a midget legue for no reason?
i really want an anwser to that though:]]]]Again... this is what i noticed.. i might be wrong... dont take my thoughts to real..:]
Cheers:]
cassanova said:How bout them Bolts boys & girls. Sweep!!
nice:] congrads... they played a good one:]
kserg said:
In my area of the Great White North people see it as one of the last things that truly define our culture. Its not just a sport, It means more to us than just a win...its the livlihood that Canadian spirit is still alive and well.
After we won gold at the Olympics there wasnt a street in Canada that wasnt filled with people cheering...its truly an amazing thing to see so many people all across the country unite in celebration.
I dunno if the same thing would have happened if USA would have won...but in all honesty...im not trying to slam...but i think it would have/did have more meaning to us.
As for the commercials showing the rules...your kidding right? Cause thats bizzare...i never heard of that before.
The one thing i thought was terrible i did see was that glowing puck thing FOX invented to make it easier for the American people to see the puck lol
I nor any normal seeing people i know ever had a problem seeing it before...if it aint broke yada yada...
Now saying that... GO OILERS!!!!!!
Im still in denial
thrash_jazz said:
Agreed. Its hard to compete with the American $$. All the Canadians have the choice to play in Canada for max of 300 grand cause the team cant afford no more or go to the States and play for 2 million...you can see the choice is tough
(just an example...numbers arent completely accurate obviously)
I know what you mean... I am simular way my self... (i am russianB'Aces High said:
)I'd acctually love to live in canada for hockey reason... i bet it so much fun playing up there... only problem... when i leave nice cold ring to be in shorts with a nice sunny weather outside... its too cold up north:]
and yes MIRICLE IS THE WORSE MOVE EVER MADE ABOUT HOCKEY... I consider Canadian bacon to be more of a hockey movie then MIRICLE... you won once... get over it... it was 24 years ago!!! good win... i agree... 24 years ago...
(again.. i geuss thats russian speaking in me...) 24 years ago!!!!
no i am not... big thing... the NHL commercial is just bunch of stars talking about rules in hockey... and diffrent stuff like "what is 5hole" "this is slap shot... this is one timer... one timer is when a person shoots the puck that was just passed to him with out taken possition..." whatever... i just ignore it... but its very weird to see:] aperently alot of stars like hockey... and i know some acctually play itB'Aces High said:
B'Aces High said:Now saying that... GO OILERS!!!!!!
Im still in denial
i am sorry
need a hug?? *hug*
Next year huh:]
i mean you wouldent win the cup... sharks will:] next year bud:]
Cheers
