NHL shootout

[billhoward]

Purists may not like the game-ending shootouts in the NHL but it's okay with the fans, to say the least. We saw the Devils-Rangers game Saturday at Madison Square Garden. Devils up 2-0 (one a Brian Gionta breakaway shot from an impossible angle), Rangers tied it up 2-2 in the third period (on a scrum where Jason Strudwick got his helmet knocked off on the initial shot), still tied 2-2 after OT, tied after the first better-of-three-shots-wins shootout, finally won by the Rangers in the first of the first-unanswered-goal-wins exchanges. Yeah, it's fluky, and sure it rewards sharp shooters and great goalies without allowing for who has the better defensive skaters ... but, sheesh, it's only a game.

It was also pretty civil among the fans. Less taunting and fewer "you sucks" Saturday in New York than Friday night in New Haven. Fewer penalties, too. And even with the cheering, you could actually talk to the person next to you most of the time. The only time it got really loud, other than when the Applause-O-Meter asked for noise, was in the shootout.

If the NHL is struggling for survival, and a not-full house for Rangers-Devils sounds like a struggle, it doesn't bother me if it takes a shootout to help inspire interest. Now if we could only get some more games on more networks ... in HD.

On the other hand, it cost less to buy a tank of gas, drive to New Haven, buy tickets, buy dinner at Pepe's (great Italian restaurant a couple blocks off campus) ... than for the two MSG tickets let alone the priceless major league concession stand extras. And at Yale, the seats were in the front row.

[Jordan 04]

It was also pretty civil among the fans.

Were you expecting it to be uncivil?  They were playing the Devils.  Not exactly the most ardent fan base in the world.

[billhoward]

[Q]Jordan 04 Wrote:[Q2]Bill Howard noted: It was also pretty civil among the fans.[/Q]Were you expecting it to be uncivil?  They were playing the Devils.  Not exactly the most ardent fan base in the world.[/q]Anything is possible when the fans are from New Jersey. On the highway, remember, these same people, when they wave to you, they don't use all their fingers.

New Jersey is where a toddler says "Mother" and dad beams proudly because baby said half a word.

Many New Jerseyans believe Nirvana would be relocating the Meadowlands (Continental Airliines) arena to downtown Newark. I'm not sure I'd want to put in a Frozen Four bid yet. Newark does not have a longstanding hockey tradition.

- Bill (Exit 137)

[ctenah]

As a New Jerseyan, I can confidently tell you the main reason we want the rink moved to Newark is because it is IMPOSSIBLE to get to the Meadowlands.  Having it in Newark would greatly increase fan base, as it's still as scummy as the Meadowlands, but now you can take a train in.

[billhoward]

[Q]ctenah Wrote: As a New Jerseyan, I can confidently tell you the main reason we want the rink moved to Newark is because it is IMPOSSIBLE to get to the Meadowlands.  Having it in Newark would greatly increase fan base, as it's still as scummy as the Meadowlands, but now you can take a train in.[/q]Hard? Jimmy Hoffa found it with his eyes closed.

[Trotsky]

"Newark makes.  The world takes."

No, wait, that was Trenton.

[Josh '99]

[Q]ctenah Wrote:
As a New Jerseyan, I can confidently tell you the main reason we want the rink moved to Newark is because it is IMPOSSIBLE to get to the Meadowlands.  Having it in Newark would greatly increase fan base, as it's still as scummy as the Meadowlands, but now you can take a train in.[/q]Agreed.  The highway routes to get there are bad, but the public transportation is even worse.  The Metrostars have the right idea; they're building a single-sport stadium in Harrison right near PATH (and I think also NJ Transit).

Of course, in this context it doesn't really matter, because nobody goes to Devils games anyway.

[bigredtrumpet]

jmh30,

I may not go to any games, but at least I don't have to root for Dominic Moore.

brt

[jy3]

and we all know that with all the money the rangers were spending before this year they were quite successful and the money certainly paid off over the last decade....oh....wait....am i wrong? ::nut::

[Josh '99]

Say what you want about Dominic Moore, at least he never left his wife for his sister-in-law.  :-P

[Trotsky]

I didn't even know Nickerson was married.

[MattyRs]

Sure it is easier to get into Newark.  But leaving tends to be more difficult when ur car was stolen during the second period.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

[Q]jmh30 Wrote:

Of course, in this context it doesn't really matter, because nobody goes to Devils games anyway.[/q]

Flyers fans go to Devils games.  ::rolleyes::