Canada's game is back with new rules and new players
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Atlanta Thrashers by a final score of 8-6.
I'm not publishing the final score of a heated EA Sports 2006 contest between my roommate and myself, but this was the final tally at the John Labatt Centre (JLC) on Saturday September 17th.
The Global Spectrum facility management group, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the JLC teamed-up and brought the new look of the NHL to the city of London.
The pre-season affair between the Flyers and Thrashers displayed the speed, power, and skill of NHL calibre players, and also served as a showcase for the leagues new rules.
Although missing big name stars, including the Thrashers Ilya Kovalchuck and Marian Hossa, and the Flyers Peter Forsberg and Derian Hatcher, the game still included countless familiar faces. One particular player proved to be the crowd favourite.
London native and 2005 World Junior Gold medallist Jeff Carter gained the largest ovation from the JLC crowd and is poised to start on the top-line for the Flyers, proving himself to be an integral part of their future.
Opening the scoring was Simon Gagne. Being a fixture on Team Canada and a 2002 Olympic Gold medallist, Gagne scored a beautiful short-handed goal that brought the crowd of 8,421 to its feet.
Also pleasing the fans, which consisted of predominantly London Knights enthusiasts, was Mike Richards. A former teammate of Carter's at the 2005 World Junior tournament, Richards recorded three assists against the Thrashers, and will join Carter in giving the Flyers one of the best young tandems in the NHL.
Not to be lost amongst the NHL players and millionaire athletes, Fanshawe's own Freddie the Falcon took centre stage during both intermissions of the game. Dazzling the crowd with speed and skill, Freddie scored a goal and led his team of mascots, which included the actual “Slush Puppy”, to victory in the mascot hockey game.
Maybe Freddie is trying to prove to Fanshawe Athletics that there should be inter-collegiate hockey at the school!
Outshining Freddie during this event was the evidence that the new rule changes in the NHL are undoubtedly going to make the game more entertaining and exciting for both average hockey fans and die-hard fans alike.
Flyers forward John Sim scored a goal in the 2nd period that demonstrated the elimination of the rule of “no two-line-passes”. After receiving a pass by his teammate from the Flyers end of the ice, Sim broke away for a goal that would have been whistled dead in previous seasons.
Other rules that are being implemented include tag-up off sides, increased size of the offensive zone, limitations to line changes after icing infractions, and shootouts to break tie games. More thorough explanations of the new rules can be viewed on video at www.nhl.com.
The Thrashers and Flyers agreed that despite the score after regulation, they would have a shootout to show the London fans how exciting the on-on-one battle can be. After several players were stopped by the Flyers goalie Antero Niittymaki and Thrashers tender Mike Dunham, Richards tucked away a goal giving the Flyers the shootout victory as well.
I was sceptical about the shootout rule at first, thinking it would take away from the integrity of the game. However, after witnessing one first hand, I was definitely impressed and was at the edge of my seat the entire time.
These modifications to the rules will only work positively if the NHL cracks down on the elimination of clutching and grabbing. This style of play has become a virus for the league, and has kept their skilled, star players restrained and unable to regularly display their abilities.
When looking at the 8-6 box score from the Flyers/Thrashers game, one can only argue that the rule variations seem to be working just fine.
The regular season begins on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, when every team in the league will take to the ice to properly welcome back Canada's favourite game from it's long hiatus.
So you think you know sports? Want to talk offensive strategy with someone that knows? Email Aaron at llahnoraa@yahoo.ca
I'm not publishing the final score of a heated EA Sports 2006 contest between my roommate and myself, but this was the final tally at the John Labatt Centre (JLC) on Saturday September 17th.
The Global Spectrum facility management group, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the JLC teamed-up and brought the new look of the NHL to the city of London.
The pre-season affair between the Flyers and Thrashers displayed the speed, power, and skill of NHL calibre players, and also served as a showcase for the leagues new rules.
Although missing big name stars, including the Thrashers Ilya Kovalchuck and Marian Hossa, and the Flyers Peter Forsberg and Derian Hatcher, the game still included countless familiar faces. One particular player proved to be the crowd favourite.
London native and 2005 World Junior Gold medallist Jeff Carter gained the largest ovation from the JLC crowd and is poised to start on the top-line for the Flyers, proving himself to be an integral part of their future.
Opening the scoring was Simon Gagne. Being a fixture on Team Canada and a 2002 Olympic Gold medallist, Gagne scored a beautiful short-handed goal that brought the crowd of 8,421 to its feet.
Also pleasing the fans, which consisted of predominantly London Knights enthusiasts, was Mike Richards. A former teammate of Carter's at the 2005 World Junior tournament, Richards recorded three assists against the Thrashers, and will join Carter in giving the Flyers one of the best young tandems in the NHL.
Not to be lost amongst the NHL players and millionaire athletes, Fanshawe's own Freddie the Falcon took centre stage during both intermissions of the game. Dazzling the crowd with speed and skill, Freddie scored a goal and led his team of mascots, which included the actual “Slush Puppy”, to victory in the mascot hockey game.
Maybe Freddie is trying to prove to Fanshawe Athletics that there should be inter-collegiate hockey at the school!
Outshining Freddie during this event was the evidence that the new rule changes in the NHL are undoubtedly going to make the game more entertaining and exciting for both average hockey fans and die-hard fans alike.
Flyers forward John Sim scored a goal in the 2nd period that demonstrated the elimination of the rule of “no two-line-passes”. After receiving a pass by his teammate from the Flyers end of the ice, Sim broke away for a goal that would have been whistled dead in previous seasons.
Other rules that are being implemented include tag-up off sides, increased size of the offensive zone, limitations to line changes after icing infractions, and shootouts to break tie games. More thorough explanations of the new rules can be viewed on video at www.nhl.com.
The Thrashers and Flyers agreed that despite the score after regulation, they would have a shootout to show the London fans how exciting the on-on-one battle can be. After several players were stopped by the Flyers goalie Antero Niittymaki and Thrashers tender Mike Dunham, Richards tucked away a goal giving the Flyers the shootout victory as well.
I was sceptical about the shootout rule at first, thinking it would take away from the integrity of the game. However, after witnessing one first hand, I was definitely impressed and was at the edge of my seat the entire time.
These modifications to the rules will only work positively if the NHL cracks down on the elimination of clutching and grabbing. This style of play has become a virus for the league, and has kept their skilled, star players restrained and unable to regularly display their abilities.
When looking at the 8-6 box score from the Flyers/Thrashers game, one can only argue that the rule variations seem to be working just fine.
The regular season begins on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, when every team in the league will take to the ice to properly welcome back Canada's favourite game from it's long hiatus.
So you think you know sports? Want to talk offensive strategy with someone that knows? Email Aaron at llahnoraa@yahoo.ca
