New/Old Rules

[count on it]

All last year we heard how the ref's were ruining the games by not calling obstruction penalties and letting the clutch and grab slow up the game. Now we are seeing the calls being made and already people are bitching about how the penalties ruin the "flow". The next question should be......what flow? That was the problem in the AJHL - there was very little flow in most of the games. The NHL had the same problem and adjusted their enforcement to correct it. After some pretty severe growing pains it certainly seemed like the experiment was a success. Yes there is a learning curve for coaches, players and ref's. Yes we will see more 5 on 3's and higher goals against averages. The eventual result will hopefully be a more exciting brand of hockey and better entertainment value for the fan. Let's give it some time before we jump off this bandwagon.

[Grampy]

I do not think anyone is jumping off the bandwagon but it is an adjustment for everyone and it will also take time for the fans to adjust.

[count on it]

I don't think the fans need to adjust, we know what we want (fast, entertaining hockey) it is more a matter of patience. Tune in about mid November and if we are still seeing games with 37 penaties and 11 of 13 goals on the power play I will be bitching like the rest.......but the need to adjust and evolve lies with the players and coaches.

By the way does anyone know if they have also adopted that goofy NHL rule about calling a penalty if the puck goes over the glass on a clearing attempt? Changing that to be the same as an iceing (defending team not allowed to change) would be a great improvement and eliminate some very lame 5 on 3's. Here is hoping the AJHL is smart enough to avoid this one.

[Shorthanded]

The AJHL will not be adopting rules such as calling a penalty for clearing the puck in the defensive end, and teams are allowed to change on iceings. There is also no restrictions on a goaltender playing the puck in the corners. So really the only change to the rules is the crackdown on obstruction.

[count on it]

That is good news. The thought of the complications of those rules with part time ref's trying to keep up with the new enforcement boggles the mind. I think you would have to go to two ref's to incorporate any of those rules........there just gets to be too much to follow.

[Shorthanded]

I agree 100% with what your saying count on it. I think the new AJHL will be as exciting as ever, it will just take some time for everyone to adjust. At the start of the last NHL season i could't handle watching a whole game. The parade to the penalty box was just ridiculous, but near the end of the season and playoffs, it was very exciting hockey. I believe the AJHL will follow the same path and will be a better league because of it.

[Krieger99]

By the way does anyone know if they have also adopted that goofy NHL rule about calling a penalty if the puck goes over the glass on a clearing attempt?

I've saw a couple teams do that and they never got called, so I'm guessing no. Thank God.

[What Ever]

There is no question that the first 10 games or so by each team will see lots of penalties and the clubs able to adapt to the new rules will have an advantage. If you are a slow learner, the season may be over rather quickly. I don't think that will happen. Power plays and penalty killing units will be more responsible than ever and I kind of like that concept. Enforcers will not be of much use anymore as was evident in the NHL last season. Let the games begin friday night.

[Saintsfan]

No the over the glass rule is not being changed.