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Sunday, February 9, 2003
PIRATES NOTEBOOK: Jenn Menendez
New rule will stay, for now
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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The newest twist to the delay-of-game penalty came up at the annual state of the AHL address last week during All-Star festivities. League President Dave Andrews echoed what everybody knows: Most coaches don't like the current rule. But he said it will remain in effect through the Calder Cup playoffs. The rule was changed this year to penalize a player for clearing the puck over the glass from within his own zone, whether or not it is intentional. The purpose for the rule was to speed up the game and to improve safety by reducing the number of pucks that go into the stands. But several teams have lost games because of power-play goals resulting from the new rule, including the Pirates earlier this season. "An unfortunate aspect of the rule . . . is most often this occurs when a team is already short-handed," said Andrews. "It's not a very pleasant penalty for the coach or the team to take when you're already down a man. In a close game late in the third period (it hurts) to have a delay-of-game penalty put you down two men and potentially cost the game." Andrews said the league has seen a decline in those penalties over the course of the season. He believes that a player trying to clear the puck is now more likely to think about the consequences "before he just rifles it high." Andrews said the league canvassed its competition committee - made up of 15 AHL general managers and NHL assistant general managers - to get a sense of whether the rule is working. "The very strong consensus came back that they like the rule, they think it's working and we should keep it in play through the end of the season and the playoffs," said Andrews. Andrews did say it will be reviewed in July at the league's annual meeting. Some other news from the state of the AHL address: Scheduling: When the AHL absorbed six former International Hockey League teams two seasons ago, many fans were excited about the thought of seeing new teams such as the Houston Aeros and Chicago Wolves in their buildings. But with travel costs so high, that hasn't happened much. Instead, teams play their nearest opponents 10 times a season, boring fans with the monotony. "A lot of fans in certain areas of the league feel they play their rivals too often and would like to see a broader range of opponents," said Andrews. Other problems have arisen. The Providence Bruins are a huge draw in every New England city, so teams want to play them often. But the Providence fans don't necessarily want to see the Lowell Lock Monsters, Manchester Monarchs and Springfield Falcons every other week. "We can never, it seems, make everyone happy," said Andrews. "We try to seek compromise." Andrews said scheduling is debated heavily every July at the annual meeting, and teams have a lot of say in what their schedule looks like. Netting: Andrews said the addition of safety netting behind the goals this season has been well-received in 26 of 28 AHL cities. "I think our fans are happy to have the additional protection," said Andrews. "I'm glad we put the program in place." Worcester and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are the only two cities where fans have complained about the obstruction of view. In those buildings the pitch of the seats behind the netting makes the view less clear. Visors: The East Coast Hockey League mandated that all players wear visors starting next season. Andrews said the AHL would like input from players about the possibility of adopting a similar rule. Several years ago the players' association was against a mandatory visor rule, said Andrews. Andrews has asked Larry Landon, the executive director of the players' association, to get an idea of how players feel. Andrews said if a visor rule is implemented, it might be grandfathered so that current pro players would have the option of not wearing a visor. Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
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