I hate ties. To me, ending in a tie is worse than ending the game on a skills competition because then at least there is some resolution. Ending in a tie just makes me wonder why the game was even played. In any sort of match there is supposed to be a definite winner and loser.

But there's no doubt this is a choice of the lesser of two evils, and for some it's ending the game in a tie, and for others it's finding some other way to declare a winner.
- wolfhounds

But they have ties now, and award an extra point for winning a skills competition. The hockey game, the actual sport part, ended in a tie...the shootout isn't hockey. It's guys practicing breakaways.

I just find it dumb to decide a "winner" by not playing the actual sport. Why not just have each team send a goon out and the winner of the fight wins the game

Really hoping Coach Chief reunites Downie--Couturier--Read line.

That line was fun to watch every shift.
- Moose_15

+1!! agreed!!

But they have ties now, and award an extra point for winning a skills competition. The hockey game, the actual sport part, ended in a tie...the shootout isn't hockey. It's guys practicing breakaways.

I just find it dumb to decide a "winner" by not playing the actual sport. Why not just have each team send a goon out and the winner of the fight wins the game
- Jsaquella

I agree! They should settle it with a fight.
Give value back to the Rosehill's and Shelley's of the NHL.

Then the 1976-77 Canadiens would have had 192 points instead of 132, even though there was no OT back then, it would tarnish the records too much, a team with a worse record today would finish wit more points, (I think)
- puckhead17

The records are already tarnished...Brodeur toppled Bernie's record for wins in a season because there's no more ties.

And I get the whole "hockey is a team game and shootouts are an individual thing, and therefore, I don't like it" argument.

But, the shootouts are not a gimmick, as I've seen it referred to here and elsewhere.

It would be a gimmick if they made the goalie stand somewhere other than in his crease when it started or if they let players on the bench throw their gloves at the player when he is going to shoot.

Breakaways are actually part of hockey and therefore, not what I would consider a gimmick.

It's a "skills competition".....even when that term is used sarcastically (as I think Bill M. tends to use it), at least "skills competition" describes what's really going on.

I'd rather a hockey game be settled that way than end in a tie, because some team turtled up (HI NEW JERSEY DEVILS OF THE '90s!) in their own zone to preserve a tie.

This is my opinion on ties, as well.

As reprehensible as some may find shootouts, ties are not acceptable ending for a sporting event, IMO.
- johndewar

Agreed. Watching any game end in a tie just makes me feel like I wasted my time.

I agree! They should settle it with a fight.
Give value back to the Rosehill's and Shelley's of the NHL.
- Moose_15

Frank Bialowas thinks this rule is LONG overdue.

Prepare yourselves for an upset tonight boys!

And I get the whole "hockey is a team game and shootouts are an individual thing, and therefore, I don't like it" argument.

But, the shootouts are not a gimmick, as I've seen it referred to here and elsewhere.

It would be a gimmick if they made the goalie stand somewhere other than in his crease when it started or if they let players on the bench throw their gloves at the player when he is going to shoot.

Breakaways are actually part of hockey and therefore, not what I would consider a gimmick.

It's a "skills competition".....even when that term is used sarcastically (as I think Bill M. tends to use it), at least "skills competition" describes what's really going on.

I'd rather a hockey game be settled that way than end in a tie, because some team turtled up (HI NEW JERSEY DEVILS OF THE '90s!) in their own zone to preserve a tie.
- johndewar

sorry, it is a gimmick, there is no team concept, no defensive strategy, & actually no coaching involved either, other then the selection of your breakaway, which each one of us could probably do.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

Frank Bialowas thinks this rule is LONG overdue.
- johndewar

HAHAHA--I saw him box in Aston before.

The Flyers would lose just as many skills competitions.

But they have ties now, and award an extra point for winning a skills competition. The hockey game, the actual sport part, ended in a tie...the shootout isn't hockey. It's guys practicing breakaways.

I just find it dumb to decide a "winner" by not playing the actual sport. Why not just have each team send a goon out and the winner of the fight wins the game
- Jsaquella

I agree 100%
Play 5 mins 4 on 4 followed if needed by 5 mins of 3 on 3 and if its still tied, then its a tie. I've been following the NHL for over 40 years, don't remember ever thinkng "thats it, one more tie and Im done with this sport"

Heck why not stop the NBA after 1 OT and have play a game of HORSE?

And I get the whole "hockey is a team game and shootouts are an individual thing, and therefore, I don't like it" argument.

But, the shootouts are not a gimmick, as I've seen it referred to here and elsewhere.

It would be a gimmick if they made the goalie stand somewhere other than in his crease when it started or if they let players on the bench throw their gloves at the player when he is going to shoot.

Breakaways are actually part of hockey and therefore, not what I would consider a gimmick.

It's a "skills competition".....even when that term is used sarcastically (as I think Bill M. tends to use it), at least "skills competition" describes what's really going on.

I'd rather a hockey game be settled that way than end in a tie, because some team turtled up (HI NEW JERSEY DEVILS OF THE '90s!) in their own zone to preserve a tie.
- johndewar

Teams "turtle" up now just to get to the shootout.

It's a gimmick because it decides a game of hockey without actually playing the sport of hockey. Yes, a penalty shot is part of hockey, but so is checking, defense and passing.

The NHL(and it's predecessor leagues) had ties and survived-thrived, even- for over 100 years. I want games decided by playing hockey and if it ends in a tie, so be it.

I'll take Chris Pronger over Petr Klima any day

I agree 100%
Play 5 mins 4 on 4 followed if needed by 5 mins of 3 on 3 and if its still tied, then its a tie. I've been following the NHL for over 40 years, don't remember ever thinkng "thats it, one more tie and Im done with this sport"

Heck why not stop the NBA after 1 OT and have play a game of HORSE?
- BiggE

Make it a game of PIG and I'm in.

Prepare yourselves for an upset tonight boys!
- Colin Dambrauskas

we could have a letdown, as any fan will probably admit we may have penciled in last nights game as a probable loss beforehand, (I know I did)

sorry, it is a gimmick, there is no team concept, no defensive strategy, & actually no coaching involved either, other then the selection of your breakaway, which each one of us could probably do.
- puckhead17

There isn't any of those things in pond hockey either.

Is that a gimmick?

I agree 100%
Play 5 mins 4 on 4 followed if needed by 5 mins of 3 on 3 and if its still tied, then its a tie. I've been following the NHL for over 40 years, don't remember ever thinkng "thats it, one more tie and Im done with this sport"
- BiggE

Shootouts decide Olympic gold medals sometimes so I can't get too upset about them deciding the outcomes of NHL regular season games.

If the league did add an extra 5 minutes of 3-on-3 OT there would be a lot less shootouts and they wouldn't be such a big deal.

There isn't any of those things in pond hockey either.

Is that a gimmick?
- johndewar

As soon as the NHL tears down the boards and returns to pond hockey, then it's open to discuss.

There isn't any of those things in pond hockey either.

Is that a gimmick?
- johndewar

Pond Hockey? where? in the NHL?

We are still talking about the NHL, no?

I would love another win tonight, but I wouldn't mind some more shots of penalty box boobs either.
- hockeylover

No idea what your talking about... but I wish I did.

I hate ties. To me, ending in a tie is worse than ending the game on a skills competition because then at least there is some resolution. Ending in a tie just makes me wonder why the game was even played. In any sort of match there is supposed to be a definite winner and loser.

But there's no doubt this is a choice of the lesser of two evils, and for some it's ending the game in a tie, and for others it's finding some other way to declare a winner.
- wolfhounds

Some of the greatest games I've ever seen have ended in ties. I don't see what the big deal is if two teams play to a draw. Hopefully the tide is turning against the shootout. They've already acknowledged that a win in a shoot out is not equal to a win in regulation or overtime. Let's just ditch it already.

Shootouts decide Olympic gold medals sometimes so I can't get too upset about them deciding the outcomes of NHL regular season games.

If the league did add an extra 5 minutes of 3-on-3 OT there would be a lot less shootouts and they wouldn't be such a big deal.
- Feanor

Which is even more stupid than deciding a NHL game with one.

If the NHL ever adopted the shootout in the playoffs, I serious think I would cease being a fan.

If they have to keep it-and it seems they do-then the best solution is to go with the 3-2-1 format.

3 points for regulation win
2 for OT win
1 for Gimmick win
Zip Nada for any loss
- Jsaquella

This is what I want

What a mess the Flames are. They should have traded Miikka Kiprusoff ages ago to stay afloat. They also should have got more than what they got for Iginla. Instead of biting on moving two key peices, they look like this. I feel for this franchise, the fans deserve better. I feel their best chance at survival now is to draft well, trade Curtis Glencross and pending UFA Mike Cammalleri.
- Schenn2shine

The guy I like the most is their captain. Giordano is a player I have always liked, and thought was very underrated... he would make for a hell of a Flyer.

Go kanida! I am hoping the return of Reinhart helps them. Canada will have to pick it up big time to beat the us here. .