Let Them Play (NHL)

After the NHL lockout during the 2004-05 season ended, the NHL has not been the same. Too many bad calls by officials are ruining the tempo and the intensity of the game. As fans, we understand why the league has chosen to crack down on stick work, especially since it was a big problem before the lockout but the officials and the league have taken it to far.

It seems that now all you have to do is flinch at an opposing player and a penalty is called. It is an exaggeration, but there is partial truth to it. Players are likely afraid to make a hit out of fear of taking a penalty. It is at the point now where players are purposely falling, or blatantly diving when they feel a stick hit their legs, in order to draw a penalty. It is disgraceful to watch.

If the NHL is that worried about increasing the amount of goals scored, a better idea would be to use larger nets or decrease the size of goalie equipment. Calling cheap penalties to create a shorthanded situation can ruin the game for a team and their fans.

Hockey is different from the other professional sports because of the physicality involved in the game, and the high levels of intensity and emotion that result from it. Unnecessary power plays take away from this.

Scrums rarely take place following a whistle anymore due to the referees being keen to only giving one of the offenders a penalty. If a scrum results in penalties that need to be called, call them on both sides, unless the offense is clearly one-sided. After all, there are two parties involved.

Physical play keeps the fans involved during the quiet stages of the game. I personally find it hard to sit down and watch an entire game anymore because of the continual prevention of physical play. It's an important aspect of the game and a part of hockey that myself, and many others love.

Please sign this petition if you share the same feelings that I have. Those that are willing to give their support should know that I will be working as hard as I can to get this petition out to the masses so that fans can help return the game of hockey back to the way it should be played.