Acorn

Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Merion Read

One of the most exciting times in sports is almost upon us. That's right­­-The National Hockey League playoffs are right around the corner, and Drew students are getting ready for the action.

"I'm not going to watch," Dan Willard ('08) said. Growing up, Willard was a Philadelphia Flyers fan, but all that changed a few years ago. "Once the player strike came around, I didn't care anymore" he said.

Three seasons ago, the NHL was forced to take a year off. The old agreement among the league and the players had expired and a new deal had to be struck. Unfortunately, this collective bargaining agreement faced tremendous opposition from the players who would be forced to take salary cuts.

Eventually both sides reached an agreement, but it was too late to salvage the season. In order to win back the fans, the NHL decided it needed to increase scoring by amending the rules.

But did this change bring back the fans?

Tom Lawrence ('11) seems to think so. Lawrence is a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, and gives his full support to the newly added shootout.

"It's very exciting to see what the players are going to do," Lawrence said. "It's like a skills competition. Unlike the old days when a game might end in a tie, having the outcome of a game depend on a shootout not only decides the winner, but in an exhilarating way."



With the playoffs looming and teams bulking up their rosters for their run at Lord Stanley's Cup, there has never been a better time to be a hockey fan. In fact, almost every team is still in the hunt. Better luck next year, Los Angeles. With the higher scoring and the thrilling shootout, no lead is safe in hockey. The team in first place today may not even make the playoffs next month. That's how close the standings are.

So who are Drew students rooting for?"The Islanders are going to win," Paul Bertolini ('10) said. Although he might be a little overconfident, his team is only a few points out of the playoff picture.

The Islanders are currently one of the better teams in the league, so their chances of a playoff seed are getting better by the day, assuming they stay hot.

The New Jersey Devils is another tri-city team that is just about guaranteed home-ice advantage.

Ben Richlin ('10) seems to believe that his Devils have the horses to make a strong run for the cup.

When asked how he felt about the Devils and their chances of winning it all, he said, "ninety-five percent, and a 5 percent chance that the Rangers suck."

Richlin is a little off the mark. The Rangers are having a rollercoaster season but remain contenders.

Although they were preseason favorites to win the cup, they have had a disappointing season by critics' standards.

But don't count the Blueshirts out this April.

So give the playoffs a chance this year.

Give the NHL a chance to show you just what it takes to be the championship team. It's time to see what millions of Canadians are crazy about.

And if none of this is convincing enough, the prospect of the New York Rangers playing the Boston Bruins in the playoffs should be enough to give all Yankee fans hope that New York can beat Boston in something other than football.

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