The NHL has done something

I know that it's easy to overlook because of the Red Sox being in the playoffs and all, but the hockey season started up a couple of days ago. Now I'm not sure if they were hoping to sneak this by the fans or what, but the NHL has made some rule changes. The first change I can completely agree with, and that is the elimination of the tie. Now, if there is still no winner after 5 minutes of 4-on-4 overtime, the two teams go to a shootout to decide the winner. I have always hated ties, so I am all for this.

They've also eliminated the two-line pass, another change I think is for the better. I've always thought the two-line pass rule was a little weird, and I don't think I'll miss it. The idea is to promote more breakaways and more end-to-end action, and I think that will be very helpful.

There are a bunch of other changes, mostly to dimensions of things such as goalie's pads (which have shrunk), the distance of the blue lines from each other, and the amount of space behind the net. But one change that I'm not sure about is the one you can't really see. Apparently, all the referees have been sort of "re-trained" to have a zero-tolerance policy for "interference, hooking and holding/obstruction." They've also added bigger fines and penalties for players who fight. An interesting thing to note is that the player's coach is the one to get the $10000 fine, not the player. In any case, less fighting really isn't what hockey is all about.

I guess having no tolerance for penalties is ok, as long as they can actually call them. The problem has always been that there aren't enough referees on the ice to actually catch the penalties. Too often somebody will take a cheap shot that doesn't get called, then the victim gets called when he retaliates. The only way a zero-tolerance policy can work is if they put refs in more places. Put one in the press box. Put one in a seat behind each net. It's a lot easier, it seems, to catch penalties when you're not on the ice.

Not that I think the Bruins have much of a chance to win this year if they keep playing like they did on Wednesday.