Quick snap shot

Occasionally I come across a hockey bit that I have deemed worthy of recycling, and this mornings piece comes from puck daddy, where he summed up the real purpose behind the NHL shootout. To me the beauty on this take is that not only do I believe it is dead on but also it is described in a way that I have been searching for ever since the league instituted the extra ratings catcher. Of course I find shootouts exciting and fun to watch, but I will never be convinced that using them is a legitimate or credible way to end a professional hockey game. But because of the casual fan allure, the NHL will never own-up to the reasons behind the circus-extra event and I am afraid it is here to stay...

'The shootout exists to artificially end games for the purposes of television and regular season travel, and to provide made-for-TV highlights of offensively talented players displaying their skills without those loathsome constraints of defensemen on the ice or having to pass the puck to a teammate. (Occasionally, goalies get to make the highlight reels too for saves of circus goals.)'

I could not have said it better myself...