Tipped Off
10-07-2005, 09:49 AM
Rule changes in hockey are fan-tastic
By John Sleeper
Herald columnist
Just a little housecleaning ... Caught the Silvertips against Spokane the other night at the Everett Events Center and saw the effects of the hockey rule changes implemented this season.
The verdict: Love it.
Designed to open up the game and increase the amount of offense, the rules have eliminated the red line, thus eliminating the two-line offsides pass; the institution of a tag-up rule on delayed offsides; the addition of a goaltender crease behind the net that limits the area in which a goalie can handle the puck; and a general tightening of standards on penalties.
There's more flow. More passing. Less clutching and grabbing. It's not a new game now, but it certainly is an improved one. I was hooked from the opening face-off.
Even having opened up the rules, the game doesn't sacrifice defense. Everett goalie Leland Irving and Spokane counterpart Jim Watt gave the fans a great show, allowing just one goal between them in 55 combined shots on goal.
The second period was the most exciting. Watt made stops lying in a heap in front of his goal, sliding along the goal mouth and closing off angles. Once, he made a diving glove save on a point-blank rebound by John Lammers.
Irving was nearly as spectacular, with 23 saves. He allowed only a first-period slapshot by David Schultz on a power play to whistle past his right shoulder and into the net.
It was all just great stuff.
The rules work. And they came at just the right time. Fans who return to NHL games after 16 months of lockout (thankfully, we still had the WHL) will see hockey as it's meant to be played.
Welcome back.
By John Sleeper
Herald columnist
Just a little housecleaning ... Caught the Silvertips against Spokane the other night at the Everett Events Center and saw the effects of the hockey rule changes implemented this season.
The verdict: Love it.
Designed to open up the game and increase the amount of offense, the rules have eliminated the red line, thus eliminating the two-line offsides pass; the institution of a tag-up rule on delayed offsides; the addition of a goaltender crease behind the net that limits the area in which a goalie can handle the puck; and a general tightening of standards on penalties.
There's more flow. More passing. Less clutching and grabbing. It's not a new game now, but it certainly is an improved one. I was hooked from the opening face-off.
Even having opened up the rules, the game doesn't sacrifice defense. Everett goalie Leland Irving and Spokane counterpart Jim Watt gave the fans a great show, allowing just one goal between them in 55 combined shots on goal.
The second period was the most exciting. Watt made stops lying in a heap in front of his goal, sliding along the goal mouth and closing off angles. Once, he made a diving glove save on a point-blank rebound by John Lammers.
Irving was nearly as spectacular, with 23 saves. He allowed only a first-period slapshot by David Schultz on a power play to whistle past his right shoulder and into the net.
It was all just great stuff.
The rules work. And they came at just the right time. Fans who return to NHL games after 16 months of lockout (thankfully, we still had the WHL) will see hockey as it's meant to be played.
Welcome back.