1) Many a hockey fan have been complaining about the lack of drama/intensity of the Stanley Cup playoffs thus far this spring. We'd have to agree with this assessment. Some have said it could be the matchups have been partly the reason? We disagree with that. Some of the playoffs pairings have traditionally produced great series: Detroit-Colorado/Dallas, NYR-Pittsburgh, Boston-Montreal. Phily-Pitt. All of the aforementioned series from days gone by have produced classic/intense/interesting series. None, in our opinion have been worth remembering this spring. We'd guess that unless you're a fan of Detroit or Pittsburgh, you'd agree with that?
2) Now, we know that traditionally there is far less fighting in the post season than in the regular campaign, but when you see that there have been SIX, yes SIX fighting majors in an astounding 76 playoff games played this spring!! Six! Come on! We understand how much Bettman hates to be embarrassed by this aspect of the game, especially during nationally televised games when hundreds are watching on Versus, but we feel ultimately this will further erode the NHL's dwindling popularity.
3) Sure game 3 of the Pens-Flyers series drew an above average TV audience, but anyone want to guess why? Well, probably like us at FAUXRUMORS, non Pennsylvania viewers thought they'd see an old time rock-em, sock-em affair between the two in-state rivals. They figured we'd see a few scraps as the Flyers, in front of their own fans, try to turn the series around and force the pens to play their game. Well, what did we see? Same old crappy, low intensity games. To paraphrase Joe McGrath (Strother Martin) from SlapShot fame: " We're losing.... The fans came to see the Flyers not these puss-ies.....".
4) Sadly, we doubt we'll see a change to this trend any time soon. As our friends over at "twominutesforblogging" wrote the other day: why would John Stevens ever put out some toughness to send a message these days? We all know Collie and Gary have put the word out that message-sending will not be tolerated in their playoffs. True enough. Gary is afraid that one of these end of game melees may become a black eye for the NHL. Message for Bettman: The folks who hate hockey because of fighting wouldn't like it even if there was ZERO fighting, so why try to placate this minority at the expense of the majority?
5) AS TMFB also wrote, and we agree: "...It's too late. The NHL has spoken and we will get a snooze fest for a Stanley Cup final. Shoot, no one in Detroit even cares anymore. Empty seats for playoff games???" While many are saying its the Michigan economy that's to blame for the empty seats at The Joe, we can't help but believe that a component to the issue is also the type of game the Wings play. With a roster that is 75% European, they play what many describe as the classic boring, opportunistic, for the most part, passion-less European brand of game. While we can't blame them for implementing this successful approach, we can blame the NHL/Bettman for allowing it to take root and thrive.
11 comments:
I am not happy with what i have seen with my team here. We look like different team from last series. We play well against the penguin during the year why play so bad now?
And yet the number of Europeans in the NHL this season is marginally down.
I don't know that Europe is the right place to send the blame.
Yo homie, you full o' dumb ass spew. Them f'n euros aint the G'dam problem. Callin out the games as borin shows you aint seen no shittin games. Usually bros actually try to watch da shit before they spew da shit bout something they know shit about!
It dont take no f'n rocket surgeon to count and figure out that the Wings don't have 75% Europeans. That just whacked out crack bullshit from some uninformed white ass mofo!
Simply count off the roster and less then 50% of the roster is Euros! And don't give me no mofo bullshit that the Euros are the players on the ice all the mofo time.
D'wings have lotsa them north american homeboys chewin up the ice just ask my homies Chelios, Rafalski, Osgood, Stuart, Grinder they wills tells ya that you know shit!
1) DaNig: Interesting blog name you created today. Why not use your real name? LOL
2)Anyway, we stand behind our assertion that the Redwing Euro influence is more than any other team.
Nice try faux. We all know you created the da niggaz profile.
I find it disgusting but right in line with the rest of this blog
I might be gay but at least i'm not a racist!
1) Thank God we're monitoring the blog closely this morning, else this nonsense would have gone unanswered.
2) Nutz: Your 'MO' to anyone who's been reading this blog the past 2 years is well known. WE aren't going to accuse you of creating that vile profile, but we wouldn't be surprised. Certainly it was no one associated at FAUXRUMORS. Being that you have never met any of us, how would you know/assume our race? LOL Go away please!
I come here to talk about my team win last night and i see this shit and hate stuff instead. I know it not from faux. You guys have been always good here and never say nothing like that before.
I have to say that I was hoping to see the flyer play like last ight since first game. I think if they did we might see them up 3-1. Not giving up yet. i think we have good player who can come back.
1) Thanks Duncan. As one of our longest tenured visitors you'd know!
2) Anyway, back to hockey: We agree Duncan that the Flyers played like they should have in game 1! We still don't think it would have been enough, and disagree that they would be up 3-1, but certainly the games would have been FAR more exciting to watch!
Dudes... one of you guys send me an email at twominutesforblogging@gmail.com. You guys need a contact button.
One thing on the ratings: Last I knew (which was midseason), Versus' ratings were up 24% from last season and I believe the Conference Finals are drawing about 2 million viewers a night.
Your blog is certainly multicultural, Faux!
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