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When Michal Rozsival's slap shot found the back of the net in the second overtime in the Rangers' 2-1 win Sunday, it not only gave the Blueshirts life in their series against the Buffalo Sabres, but it also prevented a controversy over an earlier disallowed goal by Rangers defenseman Karel Rachunek.
Imagine the mess if the Sabres won the game to take a 3-0 series lead. There would have been days of debate over whether Rachunek actually tried to kick the puck into the net, as officials ultimately ruled he did. The goal would have given the Rangers a 2-0 lead early in the second period.
Note to NHL: Ditch the kick rule, keep OT
Seeded on Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:55 PM EDT
Article Source: ESPN.com- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (12)
Was at the game and still need to see a video review [surprise of all surprises NHL.com didn't see fit to include it in their video highlights] but I thought this column was interesting...
My position from what I saw on the ice and the jumbotron at the garden and in a few still photos i've seen today -- this wasn't a "distinct kicking motion" at all last night, but a stolen goal in a poorly officiated game all around -- but overall I like the no kicking rule and don't see last night as a reason to dissolve the rule [same with swatting the puck in with a glove, throwing it in or hitting it in with a high stick.]
As for getting rid of the OT format... death to anyone who thinks that be a good idea
- 1 vote
#1 - Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:59 PM EDTI love sudden death, playoff hockey. As a Hurricanes fan, in our Cup run in 02 we had so many games that went into OT and so many awesome memories. I was at the 3 OT Finals game where the Red Wings won and ultimately gained momentum for the series. In last year's run, we had some too, like Game 5 against Edmonton (I was there too!). I think it brings an ultimate sense of emotion, depending on what side you are on when your team wins or loses. Just exciting!!!
As for the kick rule, I am neither for nor against it. I just believe it is too subjective of a decision to be made by other people. My interpretation of 'distinct' may not mirror yours. I think the players are even good now at 'masking' the kicking motion. Similar to the crease rule years back. Was he pushed in? Was he in under his own power? Too subjective. Let the game be more pure, let the zebras on the ice make the decision, and get rid of instant replay in 'that' situation. Keep it for others though.
#2 - Tue May 1, 2007 8:16 AM EDTLet the game be more pure, let the zebras on the ice make the decision, and get rid of instant replay in 'that' situation. Keep it for others though.
Here's why not.
If you leave it up to the refs on the ice you get 2 issues.
1) Are they in position to see it?
2) Every single official has a different interpretation to what a "kick" is.
Contrary to this, when it goes to Toronto in a reply situation it's the same guys making the decision over EVERY game .. so the rule and interpretation is the same in every case.
I can agree with Toronto in some cases. That's a great point that you have their consistency. However, I hate the pause in action that kills either team's momentum. Yes, I guess it's good to get the call right, but with two refs, we're still in a better place than in the past with only one. Don't know, I guess i can sway either way. I just guess I like a purer game.
I have seen this play a few times and in my opinion the puck happened to hit is skate and go into the net, I don't think he actually "kicked" at the puck, but it is up to the discretion of the officials. I don't think the kick rule needs to be taken out of the NHL and just because it occurs in a what could-be controversial game, but wasn't, does not mean a rule needs to be changed. But I agree with keeping the sudden death overtime, but the NHL should extend the overtime period in the regular season back to 20 minutes, then you can have a shoot out. The reason is that in the regular season a game can only last 65 minutes, but when you get to the playoffs, games could be limitless if neither team scores. The point is that teams are not prepared to play a game longer and 65 minutes when the postseason rolls around. Making the 5 minutes OT 20 minutes will only increase the excitement of the sport and allow OT in the playoffs to be played at the same fast-pace as the rest of the games in this "new" NHL.
- 1 vote
#3 - Tue May 1, 2007 3:34 PM EDTMatt, players won't last 4 on 4 for 20 mins .. they can barely last the 5 mins now after playing 60 mins. Having said that I'd like to see a 10 min 4 on 4 in the regular season.
The difference of the "pace" between the regular season and playoffs is 2 fold.
1) 4 on 4 vs 5 on 5 - this is a totally different game and a Powerplay 4 on 3 is way more dangerous than 5 on 4.
2) The games mean a heck of a lot more in the playoffs, the teams take a more cautious approach. In the regular season it's about stealing the extra point, in the playoffs it's about not costing your team the game and possibly the series.
The more OT the merrier in the playoffs .. to me this is what makes the playoffs exciting.
- 1 vote
#4 - Tue May 1, 2007 4:18 PM EDTI agree and I should have mentioned that the regular season should be a 5 on 5 OT.
I also agree the games mean so much more.
- 1 vote
I'll disagree with you here though. 4 on 4 OT was one of the best moves the NHL made. The players are too big and the ice is too small nowadays. 4 on 4 is the way of the future.
- 1 vote
The olympic size is actually too big. What would be best would be if they took out 1 row of seats all around the rink.. but unfortunately this also means removing the best and most expensive seats in the house.. so this ain't going to happen.
I agree--the $$$ will keep it from happening, but long term it would benefit the speedier, quicker players. It might even make a trend to those types of players, speeding the game up and creating more excitement. But alas, $$$ will decide it.
$$ may also go the other way too.. because if attendance falls than those high priced seats are empty.
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