Four-on-four better than fake hockey

No What am I missing here? Five minutes of regular season 4-on-4 overtime often delivers more action than fans witnessed in the previous 60. Skill players, the ones the fans pay to see, spend virtually all of the extra period on the ice. More tie games are being resolved. More fans are being sent home after a passionate night, win or lose. So why would anyone want to change 4-on-4 in favor of a penalty shot format? Let’s go back a step. People are philosophically opposed to ties. It is a particularly North American phenomenon, this aversion to a verdict that does not clearly delineate winner and loser. We need closure. Well, closure is overrated. Ties can be good. What for many people was the greatest hockey game ever played, the 1975 New Year’s Eve classic between…

Isles take baby steps on road to respectability

They promised improvement and the Islanders delivered — sort of. Buoyed by a change in ownership, a drastic change in personnel and a payroll boost of nearly $10 million, the Islanders were two points better through 41 games than they were at last season’s midway point. Of course, they still had recorded the fewest points in the NHL (28). When teaching a remedial class, there always is temptation to grade on a relative curve. But sorry, this is the NHL. A- Brad Isbister, LW. Carried offense for$385,000 until breaking jaw. B+ Dave Scatchard, C. Team’s hardest working two-way forward. B John Vanbiesbrouck, G. Stats don’t reflect solo efforts. B- Roman Hamrlik, D. Solid, but not enough on power play B- Jason Blake, C/LW. Has provided spunk. B- Branislav Mezei, D. Looks like a keeper. C+ Zdeno Chara, D. Leads…

Flyers look great with help of Barber

There was almost no place to go but up. After a 12-12-4-0 start under former coach Craig Ramsay, the Flyers needed a shake-up. No one, however, could have predicted how much they would shake up the rest of the NHL under Bill Barber. After Barber took over Dec. 10, the Flyers lost twice in their first 17 games (9-2-5-1). With brilliant goaltending from Roman Cechmanek and some unexpected steady play from several rookies, the Flyers posted wins over elite teams such as St. Louis, San Jose and New Jersey. The Flyers are playing with more confidence, aggression and poise. And they’ve done it without perennial all-star John LeClair, who had played only eight games due to back surgery. A Roman Cechmanek, G. Team MVP — nothing more needs to be said. A Simon Gagne, LW.…

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