passit_offthegoalie

Luckily the NHL uses mostly visors or no facial protection, so nobody ever gets elbowed or hit in the head.

Why mandate helmets then? Did you quit watching the NHL to protest the nanny state taking over when helmets were mandated? Why do you watch college hockey when, according to you, players can't make plays while wearing a full cage? I have so many questions. Anyway, I get where people who disagree are coming from. I don't care that much either way, I think visors look badass, but I just hate when the conventional wisdom is so accepted, without anyone ever questioning it.

So going from ice hockey with visors to ice hockey with a full cage will change the sport as much as actually changing ice hockey to a different sport? I didn't know visors were that important.

It's always funny when you see an NHLer turn their body or their head to protect their face, instead of using the small. almost invisible, piece of equipment that was specifically made to protect the face. And for what? To not look like a wuss? You look like more of a wuss turning away from the play every time you go to block a shot. It's all just useless tradition and peer pressure that are stopping players from wearing the right equipment.

Oh, we are just supposed to let the player's make all the decisions? Why have GMs and owners and referees and fans, then? I know the pros aren't going to go to full cages, because there is a stigma associated with it, and because hockey players are so traditional and afraid to look "weak". It's too bad, because I think the game is more entertaining when players are fully protected.

funny, but you can play hockey with a full cage, you can't play ice hockey on rollerblades. another bad analogy.

Bad analogy in so many ways. A car's windshield and a hockey player's facial protection perform totally different functions and in totally different environments. Are you saying that college and youth hockey players(and all goalies) have trouble seeing what's happening on the ice? They have a gray(ice-colored) cage like half an inch from their face, and it disappears when you pull the cage down. That's how I remember them, anyway.

I honestly don't get the visors or no-cage thing. There is a frozen puck flying around in excess of 100 mph at times, not to mention sticks flying around and bodies colliding. Players still end up turning their head or covering themselves when their face is in danger, why not just let the cage do the work? I think the players can play harder and the game can be more intense when people aren't constantly trying to protect their face. The players always say it helps them to have less. I'm sure they said the same thing when helmets became mandatory. I think the NHL and the junior leagues should go to the full cage, not the other way around.

I thought this article from an LA writer was a little premature the other day after the Kings went up 3-0, and it's looking funnier and funnier... http://www.latimes.c...,4292019.column

Who's bashing the CHL? I've seen mostly positive comments. Again, you can't seem to tolerate any criticism of the CHL. Most people are bashing the CHL for their practices in stealing away players that have already decided to go to college. You are really tone deaf if you expect Sioux hockey fans to stroke the CHL and thank them, as they continue poaching ours and other school's players. btw, the CHL plays too many games and because the older players aren't challenged enough, they need more time in the AHL than NCAA players, IMO. So I think the NCAA is better for most NHL prospects.

Just seems like you're not actually confused, you just think that the CHL is perfect so you treat any negative comment about the CHL like it has to be a mistake.

You are easily confused.

Was just mentioned on NHL Tonight on the NHL network, when discussing ties between LA and NJ, that Captain Parise and Assistant Captain Greene were roommates at the U of ND. Cool.

If the Gophers made the NCAAs more often, I could understand letting them host the regionals all the time.

I'm sure they favor you over us. We're their little hostile and abusive problem child. btw, thank you for your service as our liaison to the Gopher nation. I don't know what we would do without your occasional input around here. I wonder if Gopher fans are lucky enough to have Sioux fans hanging around in their forums, and chiming in with "corrections" and whatnot. I bet they would appreciate that.

Not Sioux fans, but it surprised some people, judging by some Leafs message boards I've perused, going back to when he graduated.

That website's definitely not political. I found this post from four days ago: http://www.economicp...rsus-oprah.html Then there's that totally awesome Atlas Shrugged saying at the bottom of the post: "Who is John Galt?"

I agree, I think the CHL sees hockey gaining popularity in the U.S. and they see the NCAA as a threat to their ability to make money. They don't want to see college hockey become the main route to the NHL for Americans and they see this as a turning point. I think that's why they are being so aggressive lately.

I bet it bothers some people that are CHL fanboys and constantly say the CHL is better because they get all the "TOP" prospects.

Everybody knows the differences between the leagues, so I think it just comes down to what the person wants(games?, practice?, weight-room,?, college education?, enjoying your youth before becoming a pro?, etc.). Small sample size or not, I bet it kills the CHL-partisans to see that all-tournament team from the 2010 Olympics, hahaha.

But, those guys would be great players no matter where they played, remember? Like how we always hear that we can't tout Toews and Parise as college players, because, hey, they would've been good no matter where they played...

You're right. So all the CHL players would still be great if they played college hockey, too. So I don't wanna see anybody say that the best players should go to the CHL. Cool? p.s. Here's a bigger sample size: over 30% of NHL players come from the college ranks, now.

Hanzal gets only 1 game. I get that Brown wasn't injured, but that hit and the hit by Salmela against Goligoski in the Worlds are the kind of hits that I never wanna see again. Hanzal and Salmela both knew what they were doing and they could've paralyzed or killed those guys. If they would've been a couple more inches away from the boards on those hits, it would've been baad. I just don't wanna see somebody die.

Phoenix is goonin it up. About to go down 0-2 after two home games.

Actually, I just think that based on Popeye's explanation about education and playing in the U.S. being so important, that North Dakota would be better than the Western Hockey League. Call me crazy. Nice rant, though.