2008 Woodie Awards
Fans Excited About 'The New NHL'
Kris Singhaviroj Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Sports
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For hockey fans, especially those dying for the NHL to return to the ice, these new rule changes are fresh and exciting. But many still remember the disappointment from a year ago.
"Last year was very unfortunate for hockey fans to see their favorite sport locked-out for such a long period of time," said men's ice hockey goaltender Jason Smith, a junior from St. Lambert, QC. "Some management issues had to be revised and we had to be patient."
The NHL itself took many hits: it lost much sponsorship, much of its popularity, and many of its fans. But the people involved in building the NHL also were affected.
"Any time a professional team strikes, not only does it affect the players and coaches, but also the fans and the people who love the sport in general," said women's ice hockey goaltender Stephanie Boulay, a junior from Anchorage, AK.
The wait for a new NHL season is over and fans are lining up to see the sport they could not see last year.
"I'm excited to see them play this year," said Joe Finis, a senior from High Bridge, NJ.
Seeing how these rule changes will affect game play is paramount in the minds of the fans. Contract and salary cap issues have already made their mark on team rosters, but the main changes will affect the way the game is played.
For starters, goalies are now restricted from playing the puck in trapezoid zones along the end boards. If a goalie is caught in the no-play zones, a delay of play penalty will be issued and a player will have to serve time in the penalty box.
Dimensions of the games have also changed. The goal line has been moved back two feet closer to the boards and the blue line has been moved two feet closer to the center line, making the offensive zone four feet larger and allowing offensive players more room to score goals.
Ties have been done away with. If there is a tie at the end of a regular season game, there will be a sudden death five minute four-on-four overtime. If no one scores, it will go to a shootout.