Regular readers of this site know that we’re not the greatest fans of post-game shootouts. Unfortunately, at many holiday tournaments across the country, the shootout is used to determine which teams advance and in some cases which teams win the tournament (Wisconsin). Our personal opinions aside, the holiday tournament season is probably the best time to use this format. With teams playing back-to-back nights and more than one game at each venue, there are time concerns and burdens on the players. Still, we applaud the Great Lakes Invitational and Beanpot for putting 20 minutes on the overtime clock.Personally I do find the shoot out to be exciting, however, to suggest that WMU won the 0-0 nonconference game against the Beavers last weekend after winning a shoot out is asinine. I don’t see the point of having a shoot out in that game. When it is all said and done WMU was shut out twice and the game in question will go down in Pairwise rankings as a tie.
We can accept that the CCHA uses the format for its league games, but why was there a shootout after Saturday’s 0-0 tie between Bemidji State and Western Michigan? When the host Broncos prevailed, fans left the rink with the perception that the Broncos won the game. Not bad for a team that failed to score an actual goal all weekend.
[INCH]
As for breaking ties in the WCHA/college hockey I would run overtime in this manner. I would have 5 minutes of 4 on 4 hockey like the NHL does. Then I would have a three round shoot out. Points would be awarded in this manner; 2 points for a win in regulation overtime and or shoot out. One point would be awarded for a loss in over time or shoot out.
You know Goon, even some newspapers in the K-zoo area had WMU "upseting #10 Bemidji State" with their shootout "win". I had to chuckle when I saw that online checking out game reports. When all was said and done, BSU went 1-0-1 on the weekend and WMU went 0-1-1.
ReplyDeleteI am opposed to shootouts all together. I like the 4 on 4 idea though. I don't see a reason to reward a team for the actions of only 4 of it's players(goalie 3 shooters). I think just the 4 on 4 change would end a lot of ties.
ReplyDeleteI dont like shootouts to decide the game. Why have something that is not normally an element of the game decide the game? Maybe if we say a penalty shot more often during the game, I'd be for shootouts. Sure, they are exciting, but after the excitement wanes you are left with real results in the win/loss column based on something that most likely did not happen during the first 60 minutes or the OT period. Remember when Oshie used to throw the puck up in the air and try to catch it on his stick? Why not decide games based on that skill? To me, shootouts are similar.
ReplyDeleteMillsy that is a good point, there is no win yet their newspaper call it a win. They didn't score a goal all weekend.
ReplyDelete2 NAYS for the shoot out.
Well, if you don't think a team wins if they win a shoot-out, then why would you be in favor of the shoot-out, whose purpose is to determine a winner?
ReplyDeleteVery against shootouts. Not enough games. Plus it takes away from the team aspect.
Clarification: Shoot outs to decided a league game or tourney is one thing, a shoot out to decided a non-conference game not so good.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with shoot outs being used in holiday tournaments. That is non conference and seems like best situation to do it. However, in league games, I am opposed to it. I've been saying that the WCHA should adopt 4 on 4 in the OT session. That would open things up a little bit and decide winners and losers more often rather than ties across the board.
ReplyDeleteShootouts are stupid plain and simple. If college hockey wants to use it in non-playoff tournaments, whatever, but never to decide league games. It is a terrible disadvantage to the may subpar college goalies that exist.It was stupid for the NHL to do it but I understand that it is a business and the non-traditional markets don't understand the game enough to appreciate it, they need a lame shootout to be entertained.
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