DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: My coldest hockey take

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/10/2024 (567 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In sports, a controversial opinion, given for attention is called a ‘hot take.’ While I have plenty of those I’ll eventually get to in this column, I’d also like to share my coldest take.

There should be more penalty shots in hockey.

Not once have I heard a fan in hockey say ‘oh, I don’t want to watch a penalty shot.’ Even when the team I am rooting for gives one up, I’m happy to give my team’s goaltender a chance to make a stop and not be forced to watch extended pressure that comes from a powerplay.

The penalty shot is a high-stakes one-on-one match-up in a sport dominated by team play. It allows for both skaters and goalies to show personality on the ice and creates a ‘must-watch,’ moment whether it be on TV or in your local arena.

The problem is the rulebook is very strict on when a penalty shot can be called.

According to rule 4.11 in the Hockey Canada rulebook the puck carrier must be in the neutral or attacking zone, have control of the puck, with no other players in front of them, be fouled from behind (or by the goalie) and be “denied a reasonable scoring opportunity.”

(Certain other situations, like a non-goalie covering the puck in the crease, also result in a penalty shot being awarded, but don’t play a part in this opinion.)

It’s the last two points I think should be loosened. If a player is fouled, but still gets a weak shot off, referees are not allowed to call a penalty shot, because the attacking player still had a chance to score. Even if the player gets a shot off and it’s stopped, a penalty shot should be awarded.

I think the “from behind,” language should be loosened too. If a player is on a partial break, and is about to blow by a defender into a breakaway, but the defender trips the player, that could easily be a penalty shot as well.

If penalty shots become a ‘once every few games,’ event rather than a ‘once or twice a year,’ event like they seem to be now, hockey would be more entertaining.

Cassidy Dankochik is the sports editor at The Carillon