So it's no surprise that the All-Star game has lost some of it's appeal. The NHL has done a good job in stirring interest by doing things such as the All-Star Draft and a few new Skills competition events.
But they still lack that *FLAIR* that makes the All-Star game exciting to watch.
Some folks think having something on the line will create competition and hence a more exciting game. Others say scrap it all together as the players and the fans have lost interest. But I think a few tweeks can solve that.
To figure it out you have to break the game down to what actually makes it exciting, what do fans WANT to see. And the fans love to see a showcase of the skills the NHL's top players have to offer. So Here is a proposal..... Make it a game of Shinny. Where else do players try slick dekes and crazy spins? When playing a little stick and puck, or generally fooling around.
Start here, scrap the offsides, icings and faceoffs. Play like kids where after the goalie covers it he is allowed to give it to a teammate and then play continues. Keep the clock running except for quick TV timeouts at around the 5, 10 and 15 minute marks of the period (keep the clients happy).
That will instantly speed up the game. and make for some crazy outlet passes, general hilarity of someone standing alone at the blue-line "cherry picking", and create lots of odd man rushes.
There also needs to be a way to let the players personalities shine through. Too often are these athletes stat numbers when so many of them have great things to say. Mic a few of them up and talk to them during the game. Not on replay, not during a clip montage. Have them explain the play as they are doing it. Take it as a chance to provide educainment(?). Mic the refs too and have them chatting with players/coaches. Give fans access to things they don't normally get when watching a regular season game.
And here is where you seal the deal. Instead of this giving a car to the player who is picked last in the draft (c'mon man you are the last pick in the NHL ALL STAR GAME!) give it to the player who scores the nicest goal in the game.
Get interactive with the fans and as the game progresses and give them the opportunity to vote (via some means, telephone, texting, online) for the best goal of the game. It will provide a bit of incentive for players as well as fan interaction. There is finally a bit of motivation for the players to try some crazy moves and provide the entertainment the fans are looking for.
If it's a meaningless game it should at least be an entertaining game. Focus more on showcasing the players rather than just keeping it a normal routine with the players.
Thoughts? Ideas?
The TeeJ
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Clash of Styles
In Vancouver and Bostons first meeting since the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, fans were treated to an exciting back and forth game that showcased two of the leagues finest, and their different styles that allow them to be the best.
In Boston you have your "old-school" type of hockey. Very physical, in your face, drive hard to the net and make their opponents earn every inch. On the other end of the rink you have the finesse game of the Canucks, who skate fast, move the puck well and capitalize on the power-plays that their style of play earns them.
Vancouver managed to keep their composure in what turned out to be a physical, hard earned 4-3 win. The difference...4 goals from the powerplay.
Boston came out with their usual physical intimidating style and immediately tried to get Vancouver off it's game. Unfortunately in the first real scrum of the day they ended up two men short, and by the end of it...one goal down. A blocked shot ended up on Ryan Keslers stick who had most of the net to shoot at.
The Bruins pushed back and took the lead. Marchand driving hard to the net tied the game, and a turnover forced by Puliot allowed Peverly to give Boston the lead. Vancouver stayed to their roots and soon found themselves on the PP again, where a Cody Hodgson shot deflected of Burrows and into the net. 4 goals in and each team is scoring in their typical fashion.
Boston continued to walk the fine line of physicalality and eventually found themselves on the wrong end again. A dangerous hit from Brad Marchand, who clipped Salo on a real low hip-check, gave the ever-dangerous Vancouver PP 5 minutes to work with. It proved costly.
Before the 2nd was up Henrik Sedin tied it on a slap pass deflection, and on the same power-play just 69 seconds into the third, Hodson blasted a slapshot past Thomas to give Vancouver the lead again.
Boston scored midway through the third to make it interesting but couldn't generate much with the net empty.
When you talk stylistic matchups it doesn't get much better than the double edge sword these two teams play. When things get physical, gritty and hard hitting the Bruins are able to push the Canucks around and have their way (see 2011 SCF games 3,4,6,7). But when the Canucks can get their speed going, draw penalties, and capitalize, it's tought to stop them (see game today).
It's a shame that these two teams only play once because with the way both teams play you know it's going to be a good game. Both teams sit atop their divisions for a reason and both are expected to have long playoff runs. Each will do it using styles that although opposite each other, prove dangerous, and effective.
In Boston you have your "old-school" type of hockey. Very physical, in your face, drive hard to the net and make their opponents earn every inch. On the other end of the rink you have the finesse game of the Canucks, who skate fast, move the puck well and capitalize on the power-plays that their style of play earns them.
Vancouver managed to keep their composure in what turned out to be a physical, hard earned 4-3 win. The difference...4 goals from the powerplay.
Boston came out with their usual physical intimidating style and immediately tried to get Vancouver off it's game. Unfortunately in the first real scrum of the day they ended up two men short, and by the end of it...one goal down. A blocked shot ended up on Ryan Keslers stick who had most of the net to shoot at.
The Bruins pushed back and took the lead. Marchand driving hard to the net tied the game, and a turnover forced by Puliot allowed Peverly to give Boston the lead. Vancouver stayed to their roots and soon found themselves on the PP again, where a Cody Hodgson shot deflected of Burrows and into the net. 4 goals in and each team is scoring in their typical fashion.
Boston continued to walk the fine line of physicalality and eventually found themselves on the wrong end again. A dangerous hit from Brad Marchand, who clipped Salo on a real low hip-check, gave the ever-dangerous Vancouver PP 5 minutes to work with. It proved costly.
Before the 2nd was up Henrik Sedin tied it on a slap pass deflection, and on the same power-play just 69 seconds into the third, Hodson blasted a slapshot past Thomas to give Vancouver the lead again.
Boston scored midway through the third to make it interesting but couldn't generate much with the net empty.
When you talk stylistic matchups it doesn't get much better than the double edge sword these two teams play. When things get physical, gritty and hard hitting the Bruins are able to push the Canucks around and have their way (see 2011 SCF games 3,4,6,7). But when the Canucks can get their speed going, draw penalties, and capitalize, it's tought to stop them (see game today).
It's a shame that these two teams only play once because with the way both teams play you know it's going to be a good game. Both teams sit atop their divisions for a reason and both are expected to have long playoff runs. Each will do it using styles that although opposite each other, prove dangerous, and effective.
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