OT - I hate shootouts.

Submitted by Section 1 on

I really wanted to get this posted before the outcome of the Wings-Blackhawks game was known.

I wanted to say that no matter what the outcome, I hate shootouts.  Can anybody articulate the reason for not playing another 5 minute sudden-death period?  What a stupid idea.  I'd have said the same thing if the Wings had won, I assure you.

I hate shootouts in hockey as well as soccer/football.   Hate, hate, hate them.

JeepinBen

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^

Yes, it's a skills contest that has very little to do with hockey, but it pacifies the TV networks. Hockey needed to get back on TV and had to give the networks something, and what they did was guarantee game length. You've got a max of 65 minutes then shootout. Boom, game over. 

In the playoffs, they still play hockey (5 on 5) and decide it. I actually think that hockey has done a decent job with this balance. However I think that they should make regulation wins worth 3 points, as an incentive to try to win outright. 

As a goalie, this is dumb and totally unfair. It's not a hockey play. As a Hawks fan, damn Kaner

Kane_medium

OMG Shirtless

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^

3pts for regulation win. 1 pt each for game that ends tied after regulation.  

If they want to give an extra point to the team that wins in overtime/shootout so be it.

Edit for your addition of the gif: That goal was insane.

JeepinBen

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:33 PM ^

It'd provide less impetus to play for the tie when tied late. Teams would try to win in regulation.

To the GIF: Yes. He's had a few of those where he slows way down and just dangles and scores. As a goalie, I mean, people used to try that shit in practice and I hated it. The fact that someone can do it when it counts? Yeah.... 

JeepinBen

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:51 PM ^

Just like Penalty Shot rules. And howard  could have challenged more, but once Kane slows down like that, the only way Howard wins is if his reaction time is ridiculous once Kane starts shooting - or to force the action with a pokecheck. But with Kane's handle, a pokecheck is more likely to make the goalie look bad than Kane

NFZ

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:43 PM ^

How is that goal insane? I didn't think it was anything special. Although I guess I think most goals are pretty meh unless it is really amazing or something I have never seen before.

OMG Shirtless

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:45 PM ^

Maybe insane isn't the correct adjective, but I've never seen someone slow all the way down to a walking pace on a shootout goal take a little hop step and then flip it in like that.

Foreverjian

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:50 PM ^

As someone who's played/watched hockey for a long time, that goal was pretty sick.  Kane is an amazing breakaway shooter who continues to come up with new and exciting plays, probably 2nd only to Datsyuk.  That goal was pretty insane, there's almost nothing Howard could have done there.

JeepinBen

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:55 PM ^

What's crazy about watching Kane are his hands. This year especailly now that he's matured some (I mean, give any 18 year old millions see what happens. Kane turns 24-25 this year, which, yeah) he's been a joy to watch. When you see a professional athlete like Kane you just KNOW that he has unreal talent on some level. He's about 5'10" 170#. That's not pro athlete size, strength, anything. In order to make up for what he cant do, he is unbeleiveably talented at what he can do. Watch him when the puck is on his stick, it's amazing. 

Another example: Charles Barkley or Dennis Rodman. Neither of them physically should have been dominant PFs, but they both were SO good at something, they were. 

Section 1

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^

Good answer.  Well-stated.  And you're right.

It is for tv.  A compromise, crappy, gimmicky end to a game, just to keep NBC's Sunday telecast schedule on time to get to golf.  And I really ought to say, that I am now tuned into the Honda to watch the fourth round.

So you're right, and I acknowledge it.  My preference, would be to have hockey on a network that has more respect for the game and allow for a better end.

WMUgoblue

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^

Totally agree, especially on the unfair to the goalie part. Obviously Kane is a top forward in the league but I don't like how slow they let some players go in the shootout. Now clearly i'm nit picking because we lost, but in no way is that play fair for a goalie.

ixcuincle

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^

The system is fine. These are regular season games. Don't give up a goal in the last 2 minutes if you don't want to go to a shootout. 

It's a quick resolution. Now, if you had a shootout in the postseason...then I'd get mad. But it's a regular season game. 

SAvoodoo

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^

I like them regular season because there's no reason to play multiple ots and wear everybody down.  If they did them in the playoffs I'd hate it, but they don't, so I don't.

Jay-Z

March 3rd, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^

Wings play a great game then back to back delay of game penalties. Then we lose in the shoot out. Hopefully MMB team can redeem my spirits.

baldurblue

March 3rd, 2013 at 4:01 PM ^

The NHL's ranking and seeding system is based on points, right?  Doesn't that inherently negate the need for a winner?  The only reason they changed that and made every game end with a winner is because the sport is struggling and the shootout is supposed to be more exciting for TV.

When you're operating on a points system rather than record to decide rankings, you don't need a winner.  One 15 or 20 minute OT at full strength than game over whatever the score makes more sense to me.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

March 4th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^

Well, fair enough.  But most of the rest of the world hates ties, and since half of the people watching the game will walk away disappointed anyway, the NHL is smart not to allow a situation where all of them walk away disappointed.

jakeace

March 3rd, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^

I agree with the poster. Don't like shootouts. I don't really like college football overtime much either. They aren't really football in the same way shootouts aren't really hockey.

ppudge

March 3rd, 2013 at 4:18 PM ^

I love CFB overtime. That said, the thing I hate about hockey shoot outs is that they make the game worth 3 points rather than 2 like all other games, which is ridiculous.

JamieH

March 3rd, 2013 at 8:20 PM ^

Back in the days before the shootout there were TONS of ties. Which sucked, especially if you went to a game.  At least the shootout gives you a winner.  As long as they never enter the playoffs, I'm fine with them being a part of the regular season.

Felix.M.Blue

March 3rd, 2013 at 10:14 PM ^

I'm ok with them during the regular season but the NHL is just not the same. Too many teams, the refs are just a half a step up from CCHA officials and the coverage of the league sucks.

Saw where Komaserick is requesting a trade from the Leafs, he's past his prime but still could be an asset somewhere. It was nice seeing a Wolverine on the Leafs though.