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….
Watching Canada play Sweden in Olympic Women’s Soccer for the Gold Medal it was very obvious that the game was going to be deadlocked 1-1 after regulation and through overtime.
And while overtime had some dramatic moments, it was apparent to all that the game would be most likely determined by penalty kicks.
Which reminded me of my solution to determine games that are tied in overtime whether we’re talking Olympic Soccer or even regular season National Hockey League play.
Actually, it’s not my idea, and truthfully I wasn’t on hand to witness it, but the Penetanguishene Recreational Hockey League had the concept and they still talk about it today.
The story goes that 2 teams, for arguments sakes, let’s say Hindson Marine & the Brule Hotel were tied in the deciding game of the Rec League Championship Series.
So they went to overtime and the format they used was to eliminate one player from each team after every stoppage of a minute or more.
5 on 5…. 4 on 4…3 on 3, etc.
According to Penetang legend, the overtime concept eliminated everyone on the ice until it was just 2 guys head to head with a goaltender at each end.
As I remember the story, it was Dave ” The Rocket ” Robillard against Christian Wright, and I seem to remember ” The Rocket ” won it for his team.
This story may have been fabricated or embellished, but even so, what does it say when the Penetanguishene Men’s Rec Hockey League, to me, has a vastly better system for breaking ties than FIFA or the National Hockey League.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace.