alright i need opinions...?

Question

first let me tell you my story....

i got into hockey by catching a game three years ago on a replay. ever since i cant miss a game i've spent thousands of dollars (memorebilia, tickets, jerseys...etc) and i live and breathe for hockey. im not a bandwagon fan, i just never had the oppurtunity to get into it....

my question is, am i missing out cuz i missed the good ole days of hooking and holding and letting them fight...?

becuz in my opinion yes, i missed the past but i love what im seeing now. i wish i could see the "let 'em play..." but, i love that i see the occasional fight becuz they're so exciting. but it seems like the pre-lock out days there was a lot more.....

i dont know. i just dont want to feel bad becuz i've only been a fan for a few years....

Answer 1

I've watched hockey for a long time. If you like fighting, then the best days are already gone. There was a time when the Philadelphia Flyers were known as the "Broad Street Bullies"; as a team, they were almost straight out of the movie "Slapshot" (which, if you haven't seen, you should). The biggest role that fighting played, in my opinion, was keeping teams honest. If someone messed with your star player, that person would have to face retribution from your team's enforcer--and every team had one. With the "Instigator Rule" now operative, that kind of retribution is less frequent and people are more willing to take liberties with "skill players" and star players. Dropping the instigator rule would probably make the rink a safer place-you mess with someone, you get hurt.

In my opinion, hockey was at its best when it was a freewheeling fast game. I think of the Oilers of the 1980's as being an example of hockey played well, but that may be because I live in Edmonton. After a period in which everyone played boring defensive hockey (the "trap"), we're going back to having a more freewheeling, open game. With salary caps, teams are more evenly matched. You've become a fan at a time when the game is going through a renaissance. Unfortunately, Gary Bettman's mismanagement of the league has turned hockey from being the 4th major sport in North America to being behind tournament poker in popularity. Keep watching! Tell everyone you know about your love of the game!

Answer 2

I've been a die-hard fan for only the last 9 or so years. I became a fan during the defensive days of the late 90's early 00's. I've come to embrace the game as it is currently played however I must say I do miss the 1-0, 2-1 games that went on for hours during playoffs in those days. What can I say I loved the thrill of those games, watching to see who broke first. I don't miss the hooking and holding although it was comical to watch sometimes. I think there are way to many penalties now. So we've gone from one extreme to another. I absolutely hate shoot-outs, I'd rather see a game end in a tie than to see the gimmick of a shoot-out. IMO what's the use of playing your butt off, getting that tie to force OT only to lose a game because a shooter caught your goalie out of position. Ugh! The one thing I do miss more than anything from those days are the late night replays of the games on ESPN. There was nothing like going to work bleary eyed because I stayed up until 2AM watching a replay. To me, hockey is the greatest sport there is. I can't wait til October.

Answer 3

You missed little in the period where the trap existed and hooking and holding were common place. As far as let em play is concerned, you need to go back before Bettman took office. There are videos you can get to fill in some of the blanks for you although if you live in the US they may be harder to find. Try Don Cherry's Rock'em Sock'em Hockey. Especially the earlier disks in the series
Watchng hockey in the sixties, seventies and eighties was great but by the nineties the trap had changed the game. Don't feel bad, make up for it and welcome to the club.

Answer 4

Good for you, Aren't you glad you caught that game 3! I'm a big Red Wings fan (also love Homer). Sometimes I feel like the only one, probably because I live in Wisconsin. Its not a Hockeytown. I've only been watching since 1995 when I was forced to. Now I force others to watch, and always keep my co-workers up on Hockey news, whether they like it or not. No matter what era we are in now, keep watching. Its the coolest game on earth ( Old tv ad )

Answer 5

Big Bad Bruins and the Broad Street Bullies days are over the influx in European and Scandinavian players has sped the game up and added more finesse but took away allot of the hard working grit that you would see through the 70's and 80's but its not totally gone anyway its hockey I love watching it from NHL right down through the mites.

Answer 6

The pre-lockout, 'nyquil' hockey style is best left in the past. Today's tempo is far more exciting, but what you really want is the offensive, yet aggressive style of the 80's and early 90's.

The game has just not been the same since lockout one, back in '94.

Answer 7

Dont feel bad hockey fan, although you have missed a lot, there is always youtube to help catch you up on how the boys used to throw 'em. Here's a nice little start...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzVFg7QI2qo

Answer 8

Jackson. Jesia and Justus are tough names. a minimum of cut back your 0.33 infant a splash slack and elect the greater socially perfect Jackson. Jalen sounds like a woman's call, and that i won't be in a position to think of of many final names that could artwork with Jones as a prevalent call.

Answer 9

oh no question there was a lot more fighting years ago. the game has changed but now I think you have to have a little more talent because fighting skills alone aren`t going to get you in the league.

Answer 10

Hockey is still exciting. There is more to hockey than fighting.

Since you love hockey so much, just hope they don't take your team away.