Sudden Death Overtime

The Toronto Maple Leafs had dominated game 7 versus the Boston Bruins but dramatically the Bruins came back in the third to eliminate a 4-1 lead. Into overtime they went and it ended like they call it a sudden death for the leafs. Series over. The New York Islanders were dominating Game 6 versus the Penguins in overtime when the Penguins stole the puck in the Islanders end. It ended up on Brooks Orpik's stick. He took a shot that seemed to float and have eyes. Game over, series over on a fluke shot. The Montreal Canadiens had outplayed Ottawa most of Game 4. The Senators tied the game in the last minute on a goal-mouth scramble. Early in the overtime period, Kyle Turris took a shot that seemed to float and have eyes. For all intents and purposes that was the end of the series. Sudden death is not fair. Buffalo still remembers Brett Hull and his controversial game winning overtime goal, and most people are still trying to see the shot Patrick Kane made to win the Stanley Cup for the Hawks.

                                 

Sudden death overtime has been part of NHL history with names like Mud Bruneteau and Rocket Richard being part of overtime lore. Hockey purists still sneer at 4 on 4 regular season overtime and don't even mention the devil incarnate shoot-out. I don't agree that sudden death overtime is something that shouldn't be tinkered with. I think the main problem is that the chances that the better team winning in sudden death are as likely as a flip of the coin 50-50. Most of the time it is a goal-mouth scramble that ends the game or a fluke shot or a deflection. Rarely does it end with a superb shot like Gretzky on Vernon or Bobby Orr leaping in the air.. Most of the time it is a 2 on 1 break like Tonelli to Nystrom or Tremblay to Lambert.

                              

In soccer during most accredited tournaments, they have two short overtime periods. They have to play the whole period even if someone scores. If the game is still tied then they have a 5 man shoot-out until someone scores more goals. They tried the golden goal in World Cup 1998 and it lasted one tournament.

Another issue with sudden death overtime is when they don't score. The marathon games that go two or three overtime periods become a farce as exhausted players try to score as they barely can make it down the ice. The other issue is so much energy is expended that neither team will likely be able to compete in later rounds against a fresher team.

Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe never scored an overtime goal. Jean Beliveau with his 10 Stanley Cups got one overtime goal in his numerous playoffs. 

I think one solution is to play 2 ten minute overtime periods. A goal will not end the game. If the game is still tied after the overtime then we have a 5 man shootout. Can you imagine if the Bruins Leafs series ended with Kessel and Seguin. It would be the talk of the hockey world.