The other day my friend and I were zapping between the QMJHL's game 7 and the Tampa-Rangers game. Switching from channel to channel it became apparent how faster the game was in the NHL compared to the junior league. But we prefered to watch the Q game. Why ? The referees let the players decide the outcome. There were big hits, trips, elbows, high sticks, and the refs barely called anything. Five penalties in total, and the game ended up in 2OT.
The Rangers-Tampa game? Every time we switched to that game, one team was on the power play, or a penalty was being called. There even was some 5-on-3s. I mean, what the hell? What a fricking bore. Looked like a football game where one team is on the offensive, then gives up the ball, and it's the other team's turn to attack. That's not hockey.
Yes, you can point out how ironic it is that all of the goals in the QMJHL final game were scored on the PP. I do not care. Fact is the even strenght play was much more exciting than anything I saw in the NHL lately. Even if there was no goals scored. Even if the play was slower.
Unless there is a blatant slash, a trip while a guy is going on a breakaway or a player purposely crashing hard into the goalie, STOP CALLING EVERY LITTLE THING. Oh, and be consistant in your calls, for god's sake!
Only call the OBVIOUS penalties, and let the players decide the outcome of the game via physical play, hard work, skating, and savy defensive schemes.
The Rangers-Tampa game? Every time we switched to that game, one team was on the power play, or a penalty was being called. There even was some 5-on-3s. I mean, what the hell? What a fricking bore. Looked like a football game where one team is on the offensive, then gives up the ball, and it's the other team's turn to attack. That's not hockey.
Yes, you can point out how ironic it is that all of the goals in the QMJHL final game were scored on the PP. I do not care. Fact is the even strenght play was much more exciting than anything I saw in the NHL lately. Even if there was no goals scored. Even if the play was slower.
Unless there is a blatant slash, a trip while a guy is going on a breakaway or a player purposely crashing hard into the goalie, STOP CALLING EVERY LITTLE THING. Oh, and be consistant in your calls, for god's sake!
Only call the OBVIOUS penalties, and let the players decide the outcome of the game via physical play, hard work, skating, and savy defensive schemes.