Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season
I noticed in the CT game on TV that the Cats are always so intent on getting the hit on the opponent that they often times take themselves out of the play. Often times the puck is gone and it is a legal hit but they always have to get that check in that serves no purpose except to show toughness. Most teams are not intimidated by it and we are out of position. Anyone else see this or am I overreaching here?
I don't think this is overreaching at all and is something I've talked about for the last decade. No team is intimidated by it and I would say 99.9% of the individual players are not intimidated by it either, which means there might be one or two players in the NCAA who are truly scared to get hit.
It's one of the biggest changes I have seen in the sport in the modern era. People used to talk about the "brutality" of the game in an earlier era, but watch a game from the 70s or 80s or even earlier. Far less hitting for hitting's sake. Before, a hit was delivered strategically and was primarily designed to separate a player from the puck BEFORE that player did what he wanted with the puck. Now, 99% of the hits happen in the immediate moments after a player gives up the puck to the next skater and the term "finishing your check" now more resembles what is actually happening. And you're absolutely right that the primary thing a hit accomplishes in today's game is to leave the guy delivering the hit in a less advantageous position up the ice as he attempts to catch up with the puck or the play.
I blame the equipment. It gets lighter and tougher with every generation of players. The more armored up the players are, the more we see things that I think have dumbed down the game. Hits, players going to the ice to block shots, sticks carried high where they are of zero use. 40 years ago a tough check was as likely to deliver pain to the checker as it was to the player getting checked. Not anymore. 35 years ago the only Notre Dame player I recall who regularly went to the ice to block a shot ended up with a broken bone.
On another note, the Gutterson Fieldhouse looks like a great place to watch a college hockey game. Would love to see a game there. And also, of all the teams that stream games live (our two programs might be the only ones who do it for free, if there are others I am not aware) Vermont's are by far the best I have seen. Competent announcers, great angle on the broadcast, high video quality.
.....of course!