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Let’s Be Fair
by Paul on 12/29/07 at 02:33 PM ET
Comments (11)
BUFFALO (Dec. 29, 2007) – To ify any advantages or adversities created by weather conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium during Tuesday’s AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic, the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will switch ends halfway through the third period – ensuring each team would spend the equivalent number of minutes attacking or defending each goal, the National Hockey League announced today.
If necessary, a five-minute overtime period also would be divided in half, with the teams switching ends after 2:30 of play.
Should a shootout be needed, each goaltender would be given the option of determining which goal to defend. Thus it is possible that both teams would shoot at the same goal. Once a goaltender has chosen the goal he wants to defend, he must defend that goal for every round of the shootout.
The League also announced that length of intermissions between – and timeouts during – periods may be subject to modification depending on weather and ice conditions, as may be determined by the Game Officials and/or Commissioner Gary Bettman, in consultation with representatives of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Winter+Classic,
Comments
This is almost as stupid as having the game on January 1st. Suppose that this 2:30 OT mark comes in the middle of a scoring chance or suppose that the third period switch time comes in the middle of a power play. Are the refs gonna blow the play dead just so the teams can switch sides? What is wrong with playing the game the way its supposed to be played? Though its not likely to matter either way i guess as the vast majority of US sports fans will be watching college football anyways.
Posted by UMFan on 12/29/07 at 05:17 PM ET
I assume they would wait for the nearest stoppage in play to switch sides. Too bad during regulation time they couldn’t shift the timing to four 15 minute periods and switch after each to take care of the problem.
And yes, it might be stupid to have the game on New Year’s Day, but don’t put all the blame on the NHL. The network wanted an event to televise since they don’t have any bowl games, so blame television for the timing even more than the league.
Only fair to apportion the blame/credit properly
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 12/29/07 at 06:00 PM ET
Will the referees be throwing yellow flags around for penalties? I hope nobody notices that it’s hockey--that would be embarrassing.
Posted by Earl Sleek on 12/29/07 at 06:04 PM ET
When you consider that New Year Day is the most watched television day of the year outside of Super Bowl Sunday and the NFC/AFC Championship Sunday it’s not that bad of an idea of playing the game then. They can probably get a better rating going up against the Capitol One Bowl than they can any other Sunday going up against nothing just simply because everyone is home New Years Day watching TV.
Posted by jkrdevil on 12/29/07 at 06:17 PM ET
Sorry, that doesn’t work for me. The third period is being interrupted at the 10:00 mark so teams can switch ends. You don’t consider that to be changing a rule? It’s not eliminating the instigator or touch up icing, but it is a MAJOR change in the rules of the game. What if there doesn’t happen to be a natural stoppage of play at the 10:00 mark in the third? Are they going to whistle play dead at that point? Will the set the game clock to end at 10:00 so they can switch sides?
If your pansy ass team is on an odd man rush against the other pansy ass team and they whistle the play dead because it’s 10 minutes in, you will be pissed. The Pens fans would likewise be angered, and Crosby would throw a fit.
I really don’t care about either of the teams, personally. However I do take exception when the jackoffs in charge decide to change things as they see fit. Why is it necessary to adjust to weather? They are taking an indoor game and placing it outdoors, deal with it. If you don’t want to deal with weather, don’t play outdoors. I don’t see the rules or field possession being changed because it suddenly starts snowing during a Bills or Packers game. Does it suck for dome teams? Yeah, it does. They dont change the rules though.
I know, NFL is different.
I just think this is ridiculous. They are really going to stop play at the 10:00 mark of the 3rd period to switch sides.
Posted by FlyersFan on 12/29/07 at 06:18 PM ET
why shouldnt i be surprised anyway, the refs make up shit as go along anyway in every game i see and this is Further proof that Buffalo was a stupid choice for this game.
Posted by FlyersFan on 12/29/07 at 06:32 PM ET
There is a TV timeout at the 10 min mark anyway. You might not even notice it happening. 14, 10, and 6 are all scheduled TV timeouts.
Posted by khaos on 12/29/07 at 07:02 PM ET
Funny, I don’t recall this happening in Edmonton four years ago.
/rolleyes
Posted by Doogie2K from Calgary, AB on 12/29/07 at 07:06 PM ET
Doogie2K,
I assume you are sarcastic, because those are the same rules as for the Heritage Classic - of course, the shootout rule is new.
Posted by PRStoetzer on 12/30/07 at 12:47 AM ET
A horn will sound at the ten minute mark of the 3rd period. The league won’t wait for a stoppage of play, so there you have it.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/30/07 at 08:11 PM ET
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this is gay.
what is purpose of this game then if you cant play a real game.
who cares anyway. only an idot would schedule this game on new years day than on christmas
Posted by FlyersFan on 12/29/07 at 04:35 PM ET