Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “,….. proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community….
Here’s a hockey conundrum……Is the sport in the entertainment business or in the business of winning ?
It really depends on who you pose the question to.
I got thinking of this recently during the Owen Sound Attack game at Guelph on November 19th.
The Attack tied the game in the last minute with their net empty which forced overtime.
In 3 on 3 overtime, Guelph started their 3 best players Pastujov, Zhilkin and Chayka.
Owen Sound countered with their most reliable players; Petrovsky, Perrott and Woolley
Petrovsky beat Zhilkin on the draw, Owen Sound had possession and for the next 75 seconds….nothing happened.
Owen Sound controlled the puck throughout and there was zero action until there was an on-the-fly line change that was followed by a poor pass decision.
Otherwise, it was boring. BORING.
I don’t blame Owen Sound for the strategy because it was effective for them eventually getting to a shootout and winning the game.
And I don’t blame Owen Sound for the strategy because every other team probably would employ the same strategy.
But……….3 on 3 overtime in concept is designed to heighten the excitement. And while there were some exciting moments in the 5 minute OT, it wasn’t constant and sadly, the shootout, which I’m not a fan of, was more dramatic than most of the overtime.
All of which gives me another opportunity to advance my concept of forward progression in overtime, that is, once you gain a zone you can’t deliberately backtrack.
I think forward progression would allow hockey in the OHL and all over the sport, to be about entertainment and winning.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace.