Don't Like The Winter Olympics But Love The Hockey

Did You Just Say Hockey!!?

Not a real fan of the Winter Olympics. Skiing, skating and bobsledding just don't do it for me. However, what I love about the Winter Olympics is the hockey tournament. International hockey is way more exciting than the NHL. The NHL has become a niche sport in the U.S. No major television network contract and there are too many teams and that is diluting the talent. But this is more about why I love watching International hockey and if the NHL was smart they would steal some of the International rules which would make the game more exciting and get Americans more interested.

Widen The Rink

The standard NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, International rink is 210 feet long and 98 feet wide. By widen the rink, fans can see the true skills of hockey players. That is what makes Olympic hockey so much fun to watch. Besides the country versus country match-up, you totally get to see the puck handling skills and the speed of these great athletes. The game is fast paced and moving which keeps fans engaged. I feel like its watching a faster version of football but on ice.

Eliminate The Blue Lines

Most people don't get the offsides rule in the NHL. Its when a player crosses the blue line before the puck gets there. In International hockey, the blue lines are gone, and thus players are free to get a jump. That jump creates more scoring opportunities and therefore more goals. You get a lot more two on ones and three on ones. It creates a more wide open game and more of a buzz in the rink. Americans love scoring and that subtle change would get more people interested in the game.

I started watching Olympic hockey when they changed the rules to let NHL players compete in the games. You have these Dream Teams on ice, the best in the world at their positions. Its better and more competitive in some sorts than when the NBA players play basketball in the Summer Olympics. With the Winter games being played in Vancouver, the Canadian team is favored and rightfully so it is their sport. The U.S. should medal but if the beat the Canadians it will be because their team is younger, one of the youngest in the tournament. The tournament has already been exciting and kept fans on the edge of their seats. Now if the NHL can figure it out maybe they can get back into the upper echelon of sports.