I can’t sleep, so I’m watching the 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 6 between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. It’s the game most noted for Patrick Roy’s “Statue of Liberty” gaffe.

But what sticks out for me, particularly after watching a few games earlier this evening, is the style of play. This is Game 6 of the WCF between two hated rivals, and it took roughly 15 minutes in the first period for a penalty to be called. There is crashing and banging, hooking, slashing, holding, tripping, cross-checking and boarding. But the refs just let it all go. And I remember that it’s not just because it’s the WCF; it’s because that was perfectly acceptable at the time. A player on the forecheck gets hauled down and Gary Thorne calls it “a great defensive play.”

The game is ridiculously intense. Part of it is clearly the history between these two teams, but it’s also just the way the play is allowed to develop. It’s rough and tumble hockey, without every little lift of the stick being called as hooking, or each free hand penalized as a hold. There is a fluidity to the game, and a lot of end-to-end rushes: many more than you would see these days. I found myself getting absolutely sucked into the play, even though I already know the outcome. But that’s the beauty of it–without stoppages in play every five minutes, the game happens.

I can see where the new rules have benefited the finesse player. Datsyuk is noticeably hindered and obstructed. And it is a little frustrating and weird to watch blatant trips go uncalled in the old rules. But watching this game makes me wish that the league could come up with 1) consistent officiating, and 2) less over-officiating. A little more laxness in the calls. That slight raising of the stick to defend against the odd-man rush isn’t a hook, it really is a defensive play.

Alas, I don’t see the league going back to the style of old-time hockey any time soon.

Tweet