Kukla's Korner Hockey
Looking Ahead At The NHL
by Paul on 06/13/09 at 05:01 PM ET
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from Jeff Z. Klein and Stu Hackel of the New York Times,
Because most N.H.L. teams try to copy the formula of the Stanley Cup champions, the Penguins’ victory could signal a continued movement from the defense-oriented tactics that dominated the N.H.L. after the Devils won the Cup in 1995.And yet a curious shift in the officiating during the finals loosened the zero-tolerance posture on obstruction penalties that referees had used for the last four seasons. Infractions like hooking, holding, tripping and interference were staples of the dead-puck era, among the tactics used to restrain skill and shift the game’s delicate balance in favor of defenses.
In the six games of last season’s finals, 30 obstruction penalties were called. Through six games this year, only 16 had been called. Four more were called in Game 7, for a total of 20.
The players and coaches had no problem with the officiating. It will be interesting to see if this slackening of rigorous enforcement signals a new standard for next season.
more on the Penguins, Wings and the NHL overall…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
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