It is really tough for me rank a game #3 that I cannot say I have seen more than once or twice. From what I can tell, the last few all star games have been pretty successful for the NHL not including the year of the lockout. The 2009 NHL All-Star game was held at the home of the Montreal Canadiens, with the East beating the West in dramatic fashion, 12-11 in a shootout. Nothing screams excitement than an all-star game that is high scoring, hard hitting and dramatic. Previous to '09, the final scores have been 8-7 in '08, 12-9 in '07, 6-4 in '04 and 6-5 in '03 with 2003 also ending in a shootout. Hockey is not really a game that can be half-assed at an all star game like the Pro Bowl or sometimes even the NBA.Even though baseball is my favorite sport, I think hockey is probably the most exciting to watch. I was never a big fan of the World vs. North America format because it did not really follow what other all-star games did. The East vs. West seems to be the format across the boards and I believe that it should stay like that. They also have a skills competition and a rising stars type game to add to the festivities at the games.
The rosters are chosen like other games, fans vote the starters in and the reserves are chosen by NHL's Hockey Operations Department in consultation with the teams' General Managers. The coaches are chosen by the team who has the best point percentage in the respective conferences.
Since the Olympics void the all-star game off this year in the NHL, I am going to make it a point to watch it next year so I can become more educated on what is going on. I apologize to hockey fans who are disappointed in my knowledge of the NHL All-Star game but I never thought it was publicized nearly as much as any of the other three.
Stay tuned for the #2 game in the countdown....coming soon...
Hey Apter,
ReplyDeleteGood post on the NHL All Star game. Some thoughts that i'd like to see your opinion on:
1. Should the NHL All Star game be like the MLB all star game, where the winner of the game gets home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals? I think this would give the all star game more legitimacy instead of a game for pure entertainment value.
2. Should the all star game be the NHL Outdoor Classic game? I think this would give the NHL Outdoor classic game a wider market than the current format where the focus is only on two teams, and all other team markets are sort of left out. I don't think you would see many Buffalo Sabres fans rooting for either Philadelphia or Boston, and may be more tempted to turn the TV off instead of watch the game to the end. I know personally, before this year, I did not watch the entire outdoor games because I was not invested in the outcome of the game, nor was I invested in either team. The hockey action just isn't enough anymore now that Gary Bettman is enforcing the "New" NHL policies where the game just isn't right anymore; too many penalties, and rewarding teams for tanking for years in a row.
In my opinion, I think these two suggestions might get more ratings for a somewhat dying league and sport - at least in terms of TV markets. Even NBC is not showing Mens Hockey USA vs. Canada this weekend due to ice dancing. You'll have to find the hockey game on CNBC, MSNBC, or USA network.
As an answer to your first question, I believe that home field being decided at the all-star game is not what should be on the line. It should always be the team with the best record. Given, if they take that away, players may not try as hard but I think that the overall record should decide who gets home field. It is tough to put much on the line for an all-star game but I do not like how home field is determined by it.
ReplyDeleteAs for it being outside, I think that would draw more viewers, no doubt. I loved watching the Winter Classic and I think it would add extra excitment for the players as well.