Yup. I love shootouts, win or lose. They're fun to see. It's just the regular season. It forces your big players to be clutch.

Stop crying.

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Wheelhouse

I liked the idea of the shootout when it was made, and I love to participate in them when playing, as it's fun as hell. You have to feel a sense that it is not part of hockey, though.

It's like turning a college basketball game overtime into a dunk contest. No team play, just skillsets being showed off. Some of the best players in the world are terrible at shootouts.

Seeing players like Kotalik and Pominville shine because of no defenders in front of them doesn't do it justice.

As for the alternative? Don't ask me.

I liked it too when they started it but the novelty has worn off for me. Tired of seeing great hockey games decided like this.

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Maybe if the refs would call games like they're supposed to post-lockout, those skill players would get a chance to shine during the game too.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I agree. It's just i'll always go back to the Winter Classic. What a game that was, balanced on both sides. Very classic nature of the game....and then they had to do a shootout. Seemed like it ruined the mood of the game. It was a defensive battle, fighting against each other and the weather of the swirls in Orchard Park.

I mean Versus/NBC wants to see the game go into a shootout and have Crosby win it, but i'm not sure the regular fan does.

It's not a very good "old time hockey" aspect translation into a new game. Seems like the NHL wants to punish the existing fans.