I haven't been on the forum much, blame me!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
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I haven't been on the forum much, blame me!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
To be honest, me neither. But I rather blame you Mark :)
Right, I'm trying to get more into hockey since a trip to Sweden. I've always liked the sport but we hardly embrace it in the UK, I sort of have a general idea of the basic rules, mostly learnt from computer games. As my brother lives in Toronto I sort of fell into picking the Leafs as my team so this evening I'm watching the Ottawa game. Anyway it's thrown up a few questions for me, firstly the Division/conference/league system, WTF? What is the point in seperating them into localised areas (eg NE, NW) when there is an overall league? Also the playoff system, how the hell is that worked out?
Oh and what's with the thing where a player is sent away from a face-off? Why do they do that?
Firstly Miguel, I sympathise for your support for a clearly embarrassing NHL organisation, and having to endure its home city every time you visit your brother.
Secondly, in response (hopefully) to your queries to your new-found armchair sport:
The NHL league is divided into two Conferences, East and West, each with three divisions (I believe this will change back to 4 next season), for a total of 30 teams.
There are 5 teams within each division, 15 within each Conference for a total of 30 teams in the League.
The divisions are divided geographically primarily to minimize the cost of travel. Teams play most of their games within their respective conference and most of these are within their own division. Because the league is geographically expansive it would be prohibitively expensive for teams to regularly play others outside their area.
The playoff fixtures are quite simple. By the end of the regular season, the top 8 teams from each conference advance to the playoff round. In this round each of the 8 teams play within their conference in a best-out-of seven format: The top team plays the 8th place team, the second place team plays the 7th place team, and so on. This format continues until a Conference winner is decided. The two Conference winners then play a best-out-of seven series for the League championship, Lord Stanley’s cup.
A player is removed from a face-off at the discretion of the linesman (the fellow in the black and white striped jersey, who is charged with, among other things, dropping the puck) if the player has committed a face-off violation. More often than not the violation is placing his stick down on the ice before the opposing player. The visiting team player is permitted to drop his stick first.
Good questions. Other than that, the rules are quite simple... most pucks in the opposing team’s net wins :p : .
Thanks for clearing that up, Schmenke. I had the basics of the playoffs, just wasnt sure where you had to finish to be included (the break up of divisions confused me). Presumably then people don't really pay too much attention to the league of divisions, seeing as it's the position in the conference that matters at the end of a season.
So how are the Canadiens doing at the minute? Really setting the league alight? ;) :p :
:mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJan
"There's always next year..." is getting tiresome :s
Although perhaps not as tiresome as your brother may feel :p :
Do the Red Wings deserve to have an asterek after thier incredible 21-0 home game stand. just wondering. i dont believe so but i am a TRUE wings fan.And yes i know thier is no asterek and wont be one but just wondering about the census opinion.
I'm cheering Ducks to the playoffs !!!
It is not going to happen, despite Old Teemu playing some amazing hockey. It really isn't good if the best player by far in your team is a guy who is going to turn 42!!! in a couple of months.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I would love for Anaheim to make it to PO as Teemu and Saku are among my all time favourite players.
The see saw battle in the west continues. the hawks of chicago came into motown and pushed them back as vancover still strolls though. and how about them Rangers in the east. all thats missing there is mark messier backing predictions and backing them up.Still tight at the bottom tier of the west as well as one of 5 teams can be in the playoffs.