On
Feb. 16, 2005, that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman officially canceled the
2004-05 season.
This
would mark the first time that a major North American sport would cancel an
entire season due to a labor dispute. It would also be the first year
that the Stanley Cup was not awarded since 1919.
Upon
their return to action, a number of rule changes were implemented in order to
restore offense and make the game more exciting and fast-paced. The
removal of the red line, the shootout to break ties and more obstruction
penalties being called led to more offensive chances and more goals being
scored. Offense was lacking in the “old NHL” but the new rules certainly
helped create a more thrilling and up-tempo game.
All
four major North American sports (NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA) have had their
issues with labor disputes, the NHL had it again this year, but never to this
extent.
Within
the past few years we have seen both the NFL and the NBA go through labor
disputes of their own, but in both cases the owners and the players were able
to come to an agreement and avoid having their seasons cancelled.
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