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>Hmmm.... That's hockey, right? That's a sport isn't it? I've heard of it, but I thought when I watched it that it was WWF on skates (with sticks too).
>

Ha!

This is something where we'll have to agree to disagree.

I have tapes of games from the 60s and 70's, and when I watch them and then compare to today's game, here are my thoughts:

1) I'll admit that the "art of passing" was better in the older days.
2) there is no question that today's players are more athletic, faster, and stronger.
3) I think todays' game features slightly less "dump and chase"
4) Pace of today's game is better because refs don't blow the whistle when you have a tie-up along the boards.

So while I enjoy watching the games from decades ago, I like today's game better. Granted, some of the differences are due to rule changes.

But what I WON'T say is that a team today could beat a team from 30 years ago. I'll use one game as an example....one very important game in the history of the NHL in the 1970's. When the Soviets came to the U.S. in early 1976, they had a style of play similar to what is common today. They were beating NHL teams right and left, and then finished their exhibition round against the Flyers at the old Spectrum. At the time, the Flyers were the 2-time defending champions and deserving of their nickname, "The Broad Street Bullies". You had a situation where other teams suddenly were rooting for the Flyers (at the time, the most hated team in hockey) to beat the Soviets.

The Flyers CRUSHED the Soviets in the game. The final was 4-1 but Philly outshot the Soviets something like 48-18 and dominated the game. The Flyers represented the best in hockey at the time and the Soviets represented what we'd see more of in the future. And yet the Flyers hammered them.

But regardless, hockey is a great sport.