Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots January 12th Edition

By Hartley Miller

As I’ve stated in the past, I am vehemently opposed to the shootout, and although I hate to beat a dead horse, this gimmick recently reached a new low.

While many loyal hockey fans have "come around", and have accepted this publicity stunt there is still one quiet voice in PG that continues to shake his head at the thought of a competitive and exciting contest ending with a trick.

The Canada-U.S. semi-final at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden is an example. The teams were deadlocked 1-1 after regulation time and still tied following 10 minutes of overtime. It was a very entertaining game, with lots of drama. In fact, this game had the potential of another junior classic. However, instead of letting the teams settle the game the "old fashioned way" with one team earning a victory, the good old IIHF allowed the conclusion to be determined by a shootout. The way Canadian Goalie, Carey Price (Williams Lake native), and American Net-minder Jeff Frazee were playing it may have taken a number of O.T. periods to determine a winner, which is irreplaceable hockey. Yes, the shootout provided several goals, and Canada emerged victorious, but this is not enough.

This shootout was a farce, especially after three rounds when teams were allowed to use the same shooters more than once. Not even the NHL or WHL have implemented this rule yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if both leagues choose this route in the future. University of North Dakota forward Jonathan Toews went three for three in the shootout, including the winner, while U.S. forward Peter Mueller netted two of three. The game ended when Price stopped Mueller’s third attempt.

So, is this now the way of the future? Choose one guy from each team in a skills competition to see who is best and whatever team he is on is the winner. Is that what the great game of hockey has come down to? How sad!

In addition, you may, or may not have noticed that the officials made a significant mistake as they let Canada continue to shoot first in the order after the first three shooters from each team had finished. According to IIHF rules, the order should then have been reversed to let the U.S. shoot first. This "cock-a-mania" shootout is so ridiculous, the officials can’t even get the rules right. This was a very important game, not pond hockey.

Canada may have won this shootout and they eventually earned a well deserved gold medal (with that convincing 4-2 triumph over the Russians), but it’s too bad they weren’t allowed to qualify for the final, the old fashion way. I don’t apologize for being part of a dying breed that appreciates the history of the game. It’s just that I still haven’t come to terms with certain changes of the future.

* It’s always easy to pick out a deserving player who wasn’t selected to an all-star type game. Clearly, Dana Tyrell was shafted in not being one of the 40 players asked to participate in the CHL prospects game. It appears he is a victim of his environment (a mediocre PG Cougars Team). Although he’s only 17, Tyrell has been the Cougars most consistent player. It’s not his fault which jersey he wears; he has done the best he can to be noticed and has put up the numbers to go with his strong work ethic. I’m betting that this "snub" will inspire and motivate Tyrell to continue raising his stock for this summer’s NHL draft.

From the quote rack:

"His back is bothering him because he’s got his front to deal with." Tiger Woods, to the L.A. Times, on golfer John Daly’s weight-related issues.

"Rumor has it she plans to reside in the men’s dorms." Contributor Bill Littlejohn, after golfer Michelle Wie announced she will attend Stanford.

"Dontrelle Willis has been arrested for DUI. Guess they should change his nickname from ’D-Train’ to ’Night Train.’" Bill Littlejohn

"35 arrests ? You have to like the inmates’ chances in The Longest Yard II." Mike Penner of the Los Angeles Times, on the many NFL players that have been arrested this season.

"Police in Manchester, New Hampshire say a man they pulled over for driving drunk continued to swig his beer while being arrested. So far, there are no reports as to his alcohol level or which NFL team the man plays for." Comedian Jerry Perisho

"Headline we would like to have seen after Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson was charged with having six unregistered firearms in his house: Tank Sticks to His Guns. Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun

"Looks like a bunch of guys failed their thug test." Jim Greene, in the Seattle Times, on the NBA suspending seven players, following the Knicks-Nuggets brawl.

"The Nuggets have acquired disgruntled guard Allen Iverson from the 76ers for a pair of first-round draft picks and two players to be suspended later." Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times

"I never thought I would ever say this, but I expected better out of pro wrestling". NBC’s Conan O’Brien, on Kevin Federline participating in a pro-wrestling event.

And in case you missed it:

The Boston Herald reported that players on the Memphis Grizzlies had a $150 bar tab at Boston’s Foundation Lounge after a game against the Celtics and left a piddly 60-CENT tip.

And how was your week?

Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press.

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