The Bitter Buffalo

Carolina Hurricanes 3 (SO), Pittsburgh Penguins 2
RBC Center, Raleigh NC, October 7, 2005

I have seen the new-look NHL, and it was magnificent.

The Canes, a ragtag collection of youngsters and role players (you can call them inexpensive, if you like – that works, too) burst onto the ice last night with a dazzling display of skating skill that completely befuddled the top-heavy Pittsburgh Penguins (for a period, at least), outshooting them nearly two to one, and staking themselves a two-goal lead (that could easily have been a four goal lead), by the end of the first period. Sure, they dragged their feet in the second period, relying on the stellar play of Can Ward, their 21-year old netminder, to keep Pittsburgh at bay. And they took a bunch of ill-advised penalties (as young teams are apt to do) in the third, allowing the Penguins to tie it up with a minute to go. But they showed me they are a better team than anyone imagined them to be, perfectly suited for coach LaViolette’s wide-open skating style. More importantly, this team is well-poised to take advantage of the new rules, rules that were imposed by the league this year to encourage offensive output.

And, boy, do those new rules make a difference.

While it’s entirely possible it’s just been too long since I’ve seen an NHL game live (almost two years – where did the time go?), the new-look NHL seemed faster and significantly more exciting than the old NHL. Without middle-ice obstruction mucking the game at center ice, the action zipped back and forth at an almost dizzying pace. And whoever decided to eliminate the whistle for a two-line pass was a genius – I haven’t seen so many breakaway opportunities in years.

As I mentioned, the Canes started hacking away at the Penguins late in the third period, allowing future star Sidney Crosby to set up the tying power play goal. This set up a 4-on-4 overtime period in which neither team scored (even though the Canes leapt on the Pens just like they did in the first). At the end of the overtime period, with the score tied at 2 goals apiece, the Zambonis were brought out to clear a narrow strip of ice for a shootout to decide the game.

The shootout is new to the NHL this year. It’s a gimmick that has been used in the minor leagues for years – a quick way to resolve a game that the crowd really enjoys. Some people believe it's unfair to decide the outcome of a team-based game with what is essentially a one-on-one skills competition. But everyone agrees it's an awful lot of fun to watch.

In a shootout, each team picks three players to take on the other team’s goalie, mano a mano, to determine which team would be awarded an additional point in the standings (if a game is tied at the end of regulation, both teams are awarded a single point).

But for a team like the Canes, a shootout seems patently unfair. When your rookie goalie is scheduled to face the likes of Mario Lemieux (an undisputed legend), Ziggy Palffy (not quite a legend, but an All Star nonetheless), and Sydney Crosby (no less than the second coming of Wayne Gretzky), you begin to second-guess the guys you’ve selected to take the shots: Corey Stillman, Matt Cullen and Josef Vasicek.

You make the best of what you’ve got, I guess. Stillman, who scored on a breakaway (as the beneficiary of a two-line pass on his way out the door of the sin bin) in the first period, fooled the Pens’ goalie one more time. It was all the Canes needed. When Cam Ward stuffed Sidney Crosby’s shootout attempt, the Canes emerged victorious, 18,000+ fans erupted in joy, and the NHL had thanked Raleigh for their patience and support in the most dramatic of ways.

Welcome back, National Hockey League. Welcome back.

Shootouts could be the ONE thing that saves this league. Not because there are no more ties. Not because the team gets a point no matter what if the game is tied at the end of regulation. Because it IS the most exciting play in all of sports! Home runs are boring, dunks are dull. But when a skilled skater is barreling down at a goaltender, the crowd goes dead silent until the result is decided. Either an eruption of cheers, or a groan of agony. A goal in hockey is like a sports orgasm. You can never have too many!

From ESPN.com:

"Around the NHL, there has been a dramatic shift in the flow of games, the up and down that many have longed for, is now back, interrupted not by clutching, grabbing and fighting, but only by the parade of the slow and out of position to the penalty box.

"Take the Carolina-Pittsburgh game Friday evening, for example. Although the final score showed Carolina won 3-2 in a shootout, the contest featured wild end-to-end rushes and terrific chances on both ends. Backup goalies Sebastien Caron and Cam Ward turned in a clinic. The overtime was outstanding and the shootout featured rookie Ward denying, in order, Mario Lemieux, Ziggy Palffy and Sidney Crosby.

"If the fans in Raleigh don't race back for that kind of entertainment, then pack up the moving trucks. For the record, the 'Canes drew a beyond capacity crowd of 18,787 at the RBC Center."

Welcome back, welcome back...