NHL Hockey

[davyar]

I was brought up during the Big Bad Bruins era of the 1960s and early 70s. That was exciting hockey! Orr, (Bobby) Hull, Howe just to name a few. I can go on and on! I then went overseas with the Air Force for 13 years. When I came back, hockey (to me, imo) got slower and much duller. What happened to my favorite game? Football, baseball, and basketball have all done well. Infact, they all seem to be florishing, but hockey is floundering. I know money is a big part of sports, but aside from this, what does the on-ice action need?

Dave
_________________
"It is best to remain silent and have people think your an idiot than speak and remove all doubt!"

Olds Recording Trumpet (1968)
Olds Ambassador Cornet (1950)
Olds Ultratone Bugle
Lyon & Healy Cornet (1930)
Conn Perfected Wonder (1912)

[trombapaul2]

It's not so much "hockey is floundering", it's simply changed. Remember
the Stanley Cup series back in '94', the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit
Red Wings? The Red Wings had a very good season that year but got blown
out in post season play 4-0 by New Jerseys DEFENSE. The Wings were
built around speed but the Devils came in with an almost lethargic box
defense that just stymied the Wings. New Jersey became a very low scoring
team but didn't have to score alot because they had the tightest defense any
other team had ever seen. The game was no longer about speed and
shooting. It became about highly engineered offensive plays in order to
get around the new defensive style introduced, in part, by New Jersey.

I absolutely, thoroughly enjoy watching a low scoring game IF...

a. It's because of outstanding goaltending, or..
b. It's because of stellar defensive play

If it's because the shooters can't get the puck on the net, that's the game
I strongly consider leaving from after the 2nd period.

The game has drastically changed over the last decade or so. I would
have loved to be able to see Howe, Orr, "Rocket" Richard (saw him
in an "oldies" game a couple of years ago...he could still fly!!), and the
other GREATS but we've had our own greats also...Yzerman, Gretzky,
Brodeur, and many more. I still think hockey is pretty exciting!! Besides,
it's the only game where the players haven't lost their minds yet (except
for Lemieux maybe). Football, basketball, even baseball, have all become
about the show. Hockey players still show up to play the game.

Paul (Go Wings!!)
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"NEVER practice...ALWAYS perform" (Bud)

"NEVER look at the trombones...it only encourages them" (R. Strauss)

"What the hell does sound have to do with music?" (Charles Ives)

[razeontherock]

Hockey's the greatest game on Earth. They've changed the rules so much I don't even understand it anymore. Remember when you could hit a guy at any time and that was good hockey? We need that back.
They're trying to pretend these guys are baseball playin' pansies.

Ray
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"And this is life: that you know the Son, and the One who sent Him." The rest is just details

[cornetmaster]

Personally I love a nice brutal, low scoring game. It's great when hockey makes the NFL look weak!
_________________
Never practice- always perform. "Bud" Herseth

[trombapaul2]