Biggest factor in this years playoffs?

[shotpassskate]

Surprised that no one has brought this up, so I will be the one that will stir the pot.

Will the new 5 minute major penalty be a big factor in section play and at the state tournament?

I have seen some real good calls with the 5 and some that make you wonder if the ref's are watching the same game as we are. Will some lower seeded team get a pp down by a goal and score 2 or 3 goals and turn the whole game around because of this rule?

Let's just hope the ref's don't call it and change a game.

[nahc]

Guaranteed this will happen at least a couple of times in each section which is very unfortunate.

[nikebauer05]

I think this penalty will definitely come into play at some point and will probably end up deciding a few games in sections. But from a few games I have seen after the rule change it seems like there is almost less intensity in the games and definitely less hitting. I hope I'm wrong but it seems as if the game has changed.

[MNHockeyFan]

I hope I'm wrong but it seems as if the game has changed.

That's a good thing, the players are learning to adopt. Play by the rules and you won't cost your team a chance at the state tournament. Same with the Gophers when they play in the NCAA's.

[HShockeywatcher]

Will the new 5 minute major penalty be a big factor in section play and at the state tournament?

Will players not being on the ice and causing their team to play down a player because they have committed an infraction at some point in the 112+ play off games and 22 state games?

Most likely

[Puck76]

The players are afraid to make a check now since it is a very significant impact. Probably not as much of an impact for a faster skater but it is taking away an equalizer for someone who has relied on use of the body to slow someone down in the past. Like it or not it is changing the game. It will change the ability of some kids to be able to compete. Maybe that is OK.

The down side is that it makes the referees calls much more important. A missed call becomes a big factor. We are seeing a lot more 5 minute penalties and that is a long time for a penalty kill. The success of the power play and penalty kill will be a big factor in games. It is going to be a lot harder to have a 90% penality kill with those long penalties. Those teams with a skilled power play will look that much better.

[HShockeywatcher]

The players are afraid to make a check now since it is a very significant impact. Probably not as much of an impact for a faster skater but it is taking away an equalizer for someone who has relied on use of the body to slow someone down in the past. Like it or not it is changing the game. It will change the ability of some kids to be able to compete. Maybe that is OK.

The down side is that it makes the referees calls much more important. A missed call becomes a big factor. We are seeing a lot more 5 minute penalties and that is a long time for a penalty kill. The success of the power play and penalty kill will be a big factor in games. It is going to be a lot harder to have a 90% penality kill with those long penalties. Those teams with a skilled power play will look that much better.

So...the less you follow the rules, the more of an opportunity you are giving your opponent to have advantage? Interesting

[BodyShots]

I'm predicting less upsets with the new rules. The faster, more skilled teams will win because the great equalizer (physicality) will not be tolerated by the officials.

And, as for the biggest factor.... as always, goaltending.

[rainier]

I'm predicting less upsets with the new rules. The faster, more skilled teams will win because the great equalizer (physicality) will not be tolerated by the officials.

And, as for the biggest factor.... as always, goaltending.

Isn't it possible to play physical without checking from behind? I wonder if refs called the majors much more freely during the regular season to send a message and now in playoffs only the blatant ones will be called.

Biggest factor is goaltending.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Goaltending and great defense wins championships end of discussion.

[duluth dave]

The biggest factor will be what it always is-goaltending. I hope the officiating is not a big factor. Although there seems to be a lot of gray area on these 5 minute majors. Its gotten to the point where any time a player makes a hard hit even when its clean they want to call a penalty.

[shoottowin]

Aside from the obvious of goaltending, the biggest factor is having all aspects of a team show up - goaltending, defense, and offense. The teams on top this year have had more games where EVERYONE shows up for the same game. The teams not at the top have had more games where goaltending is good, but offense can't score, etc.

[dueling21]

Will the new 5 minute major penalty be a big factor in section play and at the state tournament?

Will players not being on the ice and causing their team to play down a player because they have committed an infraction at some point in the 112+ play off games and 22 state games?

Most likely

[duluth dave]

True enough, shoottowin- goaltending comes up more towards the finals where all teams are good and more evenly matched.