It appears the Canada/Sweden shootout has received quite a bit of negative
press, so I couldn't help but submit my opinion (yes, it's just an
opinion).  That gold medal game was one of the most exciting ever.  And
the shootout at the end made it even more so.  True, I wasn't rooting
heart and soul for either team, but I still nearly had a heart attack
watching the penalty shots take place.  I'd like to compare it to the
penalty kicks in soccer.  I'm sure any soccer fans out there will recall a
fantastic semifinal game in the 1990 World Cup between Argentina and
Italy.  It ended with one of the most dramatic shootouts I've ever
witnessed.  For those of you out there that can't relate to this analogy,
I'm not sure what else to say.  But I don't agree that the shootout is
"not hockey".  The penalty shot involves the skills on the part of the
shooter and goaltender that form the framework of the game itself.  The
same is true of the penalty kick in soccer.  I don't want to bore anyone,
so I'll rest my case here.  Congratulations to both the Swedes and the
Canadians for a wonderful game.
 
                                                 Richard L. Snipes
                                                 [log in to unmask]
                                                 GO BLACKHAWKS!!!