From 2004 to 2010....my the game has changed

[MLSman 22]

I love the NHL network for the Stanley Cup classic games. It brings you back to the time you were watching them from a nostalgic perspective.

Over the last two weeks, they have shown 3 of the 7 games from the Calgary Flames-Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Finals (Games 2, 5 and 6). It is amazing to watch the last series before the lockout...and see with my own eyes how very different the game is today. It doesn't even look like the same sport.

Two things are overwhelmingly obvious. The first is the enforcement of infractions. In watching the 2nd period of game 6 in the series...every shift had at least 4-5 BLATANT penalties that would be called by both refs in today's game. The amount of hooking and holding was terrible. Comparing it to the two teams in the finals today, PHI would be the odds on favorite to win the cup, and Toews/Kane/Hossa might not even be playing...or would be rendered ineffective. In one play, not only does a Dman for TBL slingshot himself to catch Iginla, but he wraps his arm around Iggy's shoulder in what can only be compared to as a hockey version of Sgt. Slaughter's Cobra Clutch. I laughed my ass off for the comedic value of what we used to call ol' time hockey.

The second is the speed of the game. All three games had the same pace...frozen molasses. With all the legalized wrestling and MMA on the ice...the game's pace was more equivalent to watching mites play than NHL superstars.

As game 2 approaches, I just wanted to publicly say how much I love the game now compared to what it used to be.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

As soon as I saw the title I knew you were going to talk about the TBL/Flames series because I watched it the other day and had the same exact thoughts of you. Id watch a specific play and call out maybe 3 to 4 things that would not fly in today's game. Granted I was not a hockey junkie back then like I am now but your right, it is remarkable how much the game has changed.

[nickerjones 8]

Watched game 6 again... It pains me to see that the Flames were hosed out of a cup.... I think they should burn that tape so I never have to re- live this pain again.

[Chadd 916]

Id watch a specific play and call out maybe 3 to 4 things that would not fly in today's game.

You can still pick out at least one per shift when you compare the finals to the regular season.

That said, I couldn't agree more with the original post. The game is much more entertaining now and stands a better chance of drawing new fans than ever before.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

You can still pick out at least one per shift when you compare the finals to the regular season.

That said, I couldn't agree more with the original post. The game is much more entertaining now and stands a better chance of drawing new fans than ever before.

Like that ridiculous holding the stick at the bluline that didn't get called on the Flyers because everyone was looking at the puck.

[dsjunior1388 81]

You can still pick out at least one per shift when you compare the finals to the regular season.

That said, I couldn't agree more with the original post. The game is much more entertaining now and stands a better chance of drawing new fans than ever before.

Yeah but that goes for any game Philly is involved in. It's more and more obvious that they know the refs won't call 10 more penalties on them then the other team every night so they use that to their advantage and get only about a third of their infractions called. They also do an amazing job of drawing their opponent into their style of play, I've never seen CHicago play this out of control and undisciplined.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Yeah but that goes for any game Philly is involved in. It's more and more obvious that they know the refs won't call 10 more penalties on them then the other team every night so they use that to their advantage and get only about a third of their infractions called. They also do an amazing job of drawing their opponent into their style of play, I've never seen CHicago play this out of control and undisciplined.

I was afraid that Philly would take advantage of the refs holding back on the calls in the finals. With the exception of the 2nd, the Hawks really succumed to Philly's physical game (Carcillo clearly had a huge impact.)

And to the OP, I know what you are saying. I taped the 04 finals and watched Game 7 last week, totally different game. Despite what many think, the new NHL is much better for skills and drawing new fans while still keeping the physicality, the fights and the old time hockey mentality.

[flyers10 57]

Did anyone catch on NHL Network a few days back when they did the hour show on the 87 Flyers vs Oilers 7 game series. Man, what a difference in the style of the game offensively, defensively and goaltending since then. (Well, maybe not for the Flyers....haha) Brought back memories as I was at the Philly games.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Did anyone catch on NHL Network a few days back when they did the hour show on the 87 Flyers vs Oilers 7 game series. Man, what a difference in the style of the game offensively, defensively and goaltending since then. (Well, maybe not for the Flyers....haha) Brought back memories as I was at the Philly games.

The goaltending back then compared to today is just plain awful. Goalie pads were tanks.

[Balzinsker 0]

The goaltending back then compared to today is just plain awful. Goalie pads were tanks.

It wasn't just the pads, it was a lack of talent and technique for the most part. Go your local library and look at some of the old How To hockey books, some of the "saves" they suggest are laughable at best.

[MLSman 22]

Could you just imagine what today's game would be like if the butterfly wasn't introduced? Games would be 11-10 frequently.