A score above the double digits could come from many sports. Easily from football, always from basketball, and not rarely from baseball. However, if it came from hockey one would do more than a double take. Hockey installed numerous new rules when it came back from the lockout, all aimed at increasing scoring. One thing it did was step up penalty calls, resulting in many power play opportunities and many new chances to score. Unfortunately, while teams are killing off penalties, it can be argued that the physical aspect of hockey has been killed off, as well.
Last night was very refreshing.
Locked up in a tight one in the third period of the Canucks vs. Ducks game last night, the refs swallowed their whistles and let the players decide the game. One such stretch saw nearly eight minutes of hockey without a whistle. I know I’m not alone in my statement when I say that I absolutely loved it. I hardly sat down for the entire third period, and was blown away by the end-to-end action.
Danny Sabourin and Jean-Sebastian Giguere entertained the crowd with dazzling saves, and both teams earned a well deserved point. The Canucks were able to grab the second point after a controversial penalty call on Anaheim, a call that would obviously not have been made in the third period.
So, here is the question. We all know power plays can be very exciting, and are good at generating goals. But who else misses a period like last night’s? The body checks came hard and often, and provided anybody who watched the game with a real treat. I would love to show anybody who doesn’t like hockey that eight minute clip where there was not one whistle. Hockey really is the fastest game on Earth, so do all these penalties hinder hockey’s endeavor of gaining a larger fan base? I personally wish every game was called similarly to last night’s third period.
And, here’s a big congratulations to Danny Sabourin on his first NHL victory.
