Switching the long defensive change

[RadioGaGa 162]

On HNIC Hotstove they were talking about ways to improve scoring and they pointed out that the 2nd period (not counting EN goals in the 3rd) is the highest scoring period in the league. They attributed part of this to the long change.

Scott Mellanby suggested that they change the ends that teams play at and have the long change in the 1st and 3rd rather than the 2nd...teh thinking being, it would be harder to coach line matching, and lead to increased scoring.

Thoughts?

[gxc999 7]

I think it's an interesting idea but with obvious flaws. First, the NHLPA and defensemen will certainly pitch a fit and second, I expect the "traditionalists" will find this no less offensive than the idea of enlarging the net by several inches. Personally, I like both ideas, although the second more than the first.

[Viking 1]

Bad line changes, and more tired players will not make the game more entertaining.

[Krev 86]

Season ticket holders!!! Riot!

[RadioGaGa 162]

Season ticket holders!!! Riot!

That was one thing they brought up...people who have had "home end" seats for 10-15 years...being told they have "vistor end" seats from now on.

[chippa13 1844]

On HNIC Hotstove they were talking about ways to improve scoring and they pointed out that the 2nd period (not counting EN goals in the 3rd) is the highest scoring period in the league. They attributed part of this to the long change.

Scott Mellanby suggested that they change the ends that teams play at and have the long change in the 1st and 3rd rather than the 2nd...teh thinking being, it would be harder to coach line matching, and lead to increased scoring.

Thoughts?

How about we never allow any changes? Ever seen how high scoring a beer league game is when neither team has subs? Better yet, make it illegal for the goalie to block the puck. That will increase scoring.

Point being, more scoring doesn't matter, more scoring chances does.

[frankie56 0]

What I would really enjoy is seeing more good scoring chances resulting in a goal or a great save. Making the goal bigger would not add that much excitement even if more goals are scored. Do something to reduce the time spent in center ice and more time at both ends. That's what the trap took away.

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

or instead of playing dump and chase players skate through the offensive zone?

[cxo 0]

or instead of playing dump and chase players skate through the offensive zone?

You can't really mandate those types of things without a clusterfuck of incomprehensible definitions and descriptions written into the rule book. There are better ways to go about it then telling teams to start cutting out offensive systems that are standard practice, and have been for years.

[M.W. 0]

Point being, more scoring doesn't matter, more scoring chances does.

That's the point, though. This idea will make for more scoring chances than most of the other ideas I've seen. Making the nets bigger, for example, just means that more shots go in.

With this idea, it will be harder for teams to get their lines matched up, so you will see more opportunities for a team to throw their first line on the ice on the fly and catch the other team with their pluggers on, which will lead to a mismatch, which leads to scoring chances. You'll also have more shifts where a team can get a fresh line on against a tired line, which will, again, lead to more scoring chances. This rule change would also probably lead to more odd-man rushes, as defensemen or backchecking forwards will get caught on changes by teams with a quick transition more often than they would with the short change.

This change could arguably lead to a big emphasis on teams playing a fast transitional game, and scoring goals on the rush against a team who has been caught on a bad change, with a mixed-up line on the ice, or with tired backcheckers.

[chippa13 1844]

"That game was great, our tired guys outscored their tired guys."

[M.W. 0]

"That game was great, our tired guys outscored their tired guys."

You can still get changes. It just makes for more opportunities for mismatches and poorly-judged changes, which will lead to odd-man rushes and sustained pressure.

Is the second period of every game really that unbearable to watch?