The World's Sport

Vol. III, No. 4

On the Cinqo de Mayo, and as usual, the hockey "world" is focused on The Cup. In today's semi-final Eastern Conference match up, the Washington Capitals fought back from an overtime loss two nights ago, to defeat the New York Rangers and even their series at 2 -2.

But there is a little problem with the use of that term, world. The hockey world is no longer confined to North America.  Hockey has been played in Europe for a long time.  In fact, ice skating is said to have originated in Finland, when the Lapps laced bones on their footware in order to trek across the frozen lakes, thousands of years ago.  And then came the Dutch with silver skates.

So what is this "world"? The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is now running its annual World Championship in Finland. Canada, the US and many other countries are competing in games which tune up players for the Olympics.

Three years from now, the entire hockey world will truly converge in the Russian Crimea. NHL participation, as ever, is up in the air. Ask Gary Bettman and the NHLPA. The players want it, but the league gives up a lot to accomodate a two week break.

The IIHF and NHL have a working relationship, but have very different roots.  IIHF and the Olympics still retain some amateurism flavors. Game rules also vary, for example on shootouts, IIHF players can repeat in shootout attempts after the first three tries.  This can result in best player vs. best player - a real showcase of talent.

Today, at the IIHF, USA beat Canada 5-4 in OT. The last time USA beat Canada was 2001. The Americans had only beaten the Canadians three times in world play until today.

Is this an answer to last year's loss at the Olympics? If so, it was achieved by a mix of NHLers out of the Stanley Cup playoffs and younger players who are making their marks in the NHL. 

Besides the teams, IIHF competition is different.  The games are more wide open because the rink size is larger.  International rinks are 100 feet wide (30 meters).  North American rinks are 85 feet wide.  In addition, the blue lines are spaced evenly in international play, so that the offensive, neutral and defensive zones are all the same length.  In the NHL, the neutral zone is narrow and allows more obstruction. 

Which style of hockey is better? I prefer a finesse game of skating, stick handling and play making. Decades ago, when the average NHL player was under 6 feet tall, these skills were predominant.  The Montreal Canadians built their dynasty on speed and scoring. Today, the average NHLer is over 6'1" and weighs 204 pounds.  Even with the rule changes of 2005, NHL games are fought on the boards and in the neutral zone. Big bodies get in the way of the puck.

The larger international rink re-creates open play. Injuries are less frequent. It is said that European players cannot play in the NHL until they become acclimated to the rough grinding style experienced on the smaller rink surfaces. North American players can adjust to the IIHF play more easily, since it reflects their typical experience growing up, playing in schools and junior hockey.  Players probably prefer the larger, open, ice.

So why does the "world" not settle on a single rink size surface?  Here in North America, the answer (at the NHL level) is money. A bigger rink reduces the number of seats, and therefore, revenue per game. At lower levels, the cost to expand indoor rink sizes is prohibitive. And, so the world preserves two different styles of hockey.

Take a look at the IIHF championships. There's an app from IIHF for smart phones, 2012 IIHF by Skoda. What's Skoda? A car manufacturer from the Czech Republic, you know, the country that has given us the likes of Hasek, Jagr, Chara, Palffy, Elias, Holik, Stastny and Sykora. The last four are well known to Devils fans - and two are still playing.

Czechs and Devils?  Europeans playing in North America? Canadians playing in the Elite European leagues?  That's what makes hockey the most international sport of all.  In fifty years, soccer may capture North America, but until that happens, ice hockey is truly the world's sport.  

Hockey rules!