2008 Woodie Awards
Hockey article misses the net
Issue date: 5/13/04 Section: Letters to the Editor
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
I was quite offended by the recent article "View from the bench..." in the April 30, 2004 issue of The Omnibus about hockey. When I read the article it became apparent to me that writer Ben Nielsen is most definitely not an expert on hockey.
He clearly admits he thinks hockey is not entertaining unless it is watched on HDTV. While I will admit that HDTV is an amazing technological advancement, I believe hockey would be exciting on a six-inch screen with a severe eye infection. How many college students can afford the hardware and programing required for HDTV? Hockey was not formed for HDTV. In fact, it was not even formed for regular television. It was created because athletes could not wait until summer to play one of their favorite outdoor games.
The NHL does not need higher scoring games. Games average two to three goals, which only makes each goal more exciting.
Many of the teams listed to be on the "cutting block" have made the playoffs this year or last. The Tampa Bay Lightning are even the number one team in the league right now.
Finally there is the remark made about fighting. Nielsen states the only reason he watches hockey is for the fighting. Being the die-hard hockey fan I am, when I hear someone speak this way I am quite appalled. Frankly, I believe anyone who thinks a hockey game is only worth the number of fights that occur therein should not be allowed to watch, play, or especially write about hockey at all. Fighting does not define hockey. It is merely a latent disfunction that comes with concentrating so many men with so much passion for a game they love in such a small rink.
Hopefully in the future, writers for the Omnibus will stick to topics that they can approach more objectively and intelligently.
Sincerely,
Freshman Jordan Ray
I was quite offended by the recent article "View from the bench..." in the April 30, 2004 issue of The Omnibus about hockey. When I read the article it became apparent to me that writer Ben Nielsen is most definitely not an expert on hockey.
He clearly admits he thinks hockey is not entertaining unless it is watched on HDTV. While I will admit that HDTV is an amazing technological advancement, I believe hockey would be exciting on a six-inch screen with a severe eye infection. How many college students can afford the hardware and programing required for HDTV? Hockey was not formed for HDTV. In fact, it was not even formed for regular television. It was created because athletes could not wait until summer to play one of their favorite outdoor games.
The NHL does not need higher scoring games. Games average two to three goals, which only makes each goal more exciting.
Many of the teams listed to be on the "cutting block" have made the playoffs this year or last. The Tampa Bay Lightning are even the number one team in the league right now.
Finally there is the remark made about fighting. Nielsen states the only reason he watches hockey is for the fighting. Being the die-hard hockey fan I am, when I hear someone speak this way I am quite appalled. Frankly, I believe anyone who thinks a hockey game is only worth the number of fights that occur therein should not be allowed to watch, play, or especially write about hockey at all. Fighting does not define hockey. It is merely a latent disfunction that comes with concentrating so many men with so much passion for a game they love in such a small rink.
Hopefully in the future, writers for the Omnibus will stick to topics that they can approach more objectively and intelligently.
Sincerely,
Freshman Jordan Ray