The Canadian National Newspaper: Now That We've Seen Some, How Do You Like the Shootout?

Like you didn't expect me to make that lame joke? Oh...you did? Maybe it is time to change my material, but that's for another debate. This time, it's in defence of the new kid on the NHL block, the shootout. Already, some people are crying foul of the new addition to the game that's supposed to make it better (re: no ties). Isn't it funny what being on the losing end of a shootout can do to someone's perspective.

Leading the charge is Pat Quinn, who admittedly wasn't a fan of the shootout to begin with, but after two straight losses to Ottawa in the extra-extra frame, it easy to see why he's so miffed. Heck, if I got kicked in the shins too many times over a short span, I'd be screaming out against steel-toed shoes. What kills me the most is the end result of the shootout, and why Quinn is speaking out.

In the old NHL, even if you lost in overtime, you got a point. It didn't matter what happened during the first 60 minutes...2-2, 1-1, 7-7...so long as you made it to overtime, you got your point. In the Ottawa-Toronto games, both teams made it past the 65 minute mark, so they both got a point anyways. As far as the standings go, the Maple Leafs are no worse off than if the shootout didn't exist.

Now, it is true that losing the first two shootouts of the season can have a demoralizing effect on you, especially when both games were against your division rival. I'm sure the last thing the Leafs want to do is boost Ottawa's confidence, and especially not Dominik Hasek's (and we all know how he is in a shootout...just ask Wayne Gretzky...oh wait, he didn't get to shoot in 1998). Yes, Mats Sundin didn't get to partake in either contest, but how do, Kyle Wellwood, Eric Lindros and Jason Allison feel after letting their team down when it was one-on-one? Hopefully, Toronto has a shootout victory soon so the mere thought of going to a shootout doesn't defeat them before the first shot.

Speaking as a fan, I have to admit that I like the shootout. I think I like it more because the NHL was smart and didn't put it in to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I don't think I'd enjoy seeing a Game 7 in the finals decided by a one-on-one contest. Hockey is a team sport, and when it comes to winning the Cup, it should still be a team sport. But if the shootout helps weed out some teams who, in previous years, treated overtime as a free skate and made it into the post-season with 15 ties, then the playoffs will be that much better. Besides, we all like watching penalty shots when they happen, so why should this be any different?

Simon: It's Getting Old, Fast

Alright, so most of the people who have disliked the shootout so far are Leaf fans. Can you blame them? Two of their opening three losses were from the shootout, and they were terrible at it, not scoring once. (Their three-game winning streak has softened any blow from those first few days). That said, it's safe to say that while most fans seem to love the new look NHL (with more goals, less of that holding rubbish and fewer whistles), the jury is still out on the shootout.

Here's why. First off, it tends to take the steam out of the building once it's over. It's really strange: two teams fight tooth and nail to get that 7-7 tie and all of a sudden, it's decided by breakaways. After scraping your way to that point, what's wrong with a tie? Do we have to decide every game if it's like this? I'm sure a team like Toronto would hate it if they playoff chances came down to the one point lost in a shootout.

There's something else that has happened, and it's almost a crime. Remember in previous years when a penalty shot was called in regulation? It hardly ever happened. It was so rare that the crowd and the fans at home would be standing, breathless with anticipation to watch the one-on-one battle between sniper and goaltender. However, now that ties are decided by what is essentially a continuous string of penalty shots, the novelty is gone when they call one during the regular season. On top of that, they've already called six in the NHL over the first week and a half of the year.

Finally, and Whis touched on this, it almost seems like the team aspect of the sport is gone when it comes to deciding the game this way. It's the individual one man, not the 20 guys on the bench, who will win or lose the game for you in the shootout, no matter what anybody tells you. If Allison goes in and misses the final shot, there's nobody allowed to trail and put in the rebound. It removes the team aspect from a game that usually thrives on it and that's not right.

Man, I sound old-school right now, don't I! So I'll just say this, as a fan, the new-look NHL rocks! Games are much easier to watch and the skilled players are able to shine, just like the league hoped. The shootout will be the one aspect of the new game that will be up for debate, but get used to it - it's not going anywhere.