At Long Last the NHL Returns...

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » October 6, 2005, 1:38 am

I know a few of you guys were turned off by the lockout (weren't we all to some degree)? I know some of you never cared to begin with. But for those that do care, what did you think of opening night?

To me

the pluses
- a lot more skating and end to end action
- more powerplays because of the obstruction crackdown
- more scoring (see above 2 points)
- reduced shoving and BS after whistles
- Toronto didn't win (yeah I'm a Hater and proud of it)

the minuses
- teams still get a point for losing in OT/shoot-outs
- watching the Calgary-Minnesota and Edmonton-Colorado games physical play was absent... not much for hits at all
- new rules still don't make a team actually come out and play for 60 minutes *cough*Flamescoastingmostof game*cough*
- the Rangers won (I already said I'm a Hater...)

I love that there is open ice and guys can drive to the net without someone draped like a 2nd jersey on them. I love the cracking down on the interference and stick fouls. However I do hope the physical aspect comes back: I love a good, clean, bone-jarring hit (in hockey and football) almost as much as I love scoring plays. I also like the scraps as long as they are 1-2 per game and not wrestling matches, but they, like the hits, were largely absent (browsing though official scoring sheets at NHL.com I saw 2 in all the games).

Its only one night but to me it seemed in large part that the game has evolved now, into what people said it needed if it is to ever have a chance in the US. Will it work? What did you think of the games played?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 6, 2005, 3:17 am

I am certainly glad that the NHL is back! There is nothing worse than adding more attention to the retarded NBA due to the absense of hockey--especially in a town that has only one pro team in any sport. Of course, Portland seems to suckle on Seattle's teats for the useless Mariners and Seahawks....

Aside from the void last winter, I am pretty happy that the NHL is back. Not only is it one of the best sports to watch live, it will always be the underdog compared to the other popular sports, yet is nearly unmatched in fan enthusiasm.

I am also upset about the Rangers winning, given that they beat my Flyers.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 6, 2005, 11:42 am

I was only able to watch one game last night...but it was a very good game.

The amount of increase in action was just amazing. After the semi stale first period where everyone looked like they were relearning how to ride a bicycle, the game was nonstop. There were still some great hits, but they were good clean hits...not those rediculously behind the play hits that end up hurting people. There were tons of penalty calls, and I think it was good...some of the players cryed, but i agreed that they should have been called.

Anyways, I really like the changes, and am glad hockey is back...gonna watch more games tonite

Ogbar · Post by **Ogbar** » October 6, 2005, 12:04 pm

The Bruins gave up the game winning goal to the Habs on a power play with 11 seconds left in the third. Ouch! - yeah, Bruins hockey is back.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » October 6, 2005, 2:26 pm

I'm sure once these guys get used to keeping their sticks down, the checking will return. Hopefully, even better than before because the guys will be moving at speed!

Waran · Post by **Waran** » October 6, 2005, 3:01 pm

I struggled through watching the Blues vs. Wings game last night. I can honestly say I had a hard time caring about it even before the game started. Our Fox Sports affiliate did a great job in describing the rule changes, though.

After that, the Wings clearly bent the Blues over and made them their bitch. Know Zou enjoyed the game.

Maybe it's a combination of the lockout and the Blues doing nothing to improve the team this year (Going the cheap route during the sale of the team, dumping off high salary Pronger & Demitra and getting nothing in return to make it look more valuable), but what I saw last night didn't impress me. I saw several big hits that would not have been called pre-lockout, that were called interference penalties last night?!

Lalime is a joke, it's funny how they hyped him up before the season started here. Now he got pulled in his first regular season game for his new team, welcome to the club!

The goalies looked freaky with those smaller glove pads

True, its still early in the season, but if this turns out to be a vision of what the season's going to be, I won't bother. The Blues obviously don't care to contend this year.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » October 6, 2005, 4:55 pm

I'm afraid the Pens are in the same predicament, but not by choice. Until their new stadium is done, they really can't afford top notch talent. Oh well, at least we still have a team and a league!

Trek · Post by **Trek** » October 6, 2005, 8:00 pm

I will have to wait until midway through the season until I can really make up my mind. I am guessing by then everyone will be comfortable with the changes so I can see how it plays out.

Narmgarf · Post by **Narmgarf** » October 6, 2005, 8:34 pm

I'm glad to have it back...and even happier that the Habs beat the Bruins! And a Newf scored the game winner..couldn't really get much better than that for me. Actually it could...and did...when the leafs lost.

Sports Center will be much easier to stomach now that there's more than just friggin baseball on it.

Narmgarf

XunilTlatoani · Post by **XunilTlatoani** » October 6, 2005, 9:13 pm

Couldn't tell you how I feel about hockey being back because Wirtz is in the fucking dark ages still and won't broadcast Blackhawk home games on TV!

Overall, I like the changes though, but the point system is still bullshit. If they didn't give you a point for a regulation tie, then teams would play a bit harder at the end of regulation to try to avoid overtime.