Mixed feelings on this one. In one aspect, I'd hate to have a tie in a championship game. On the other hand, stopping the game in the 9th OT and waiting for monday would have cheapened any kind of win their could be. Plus as the column stated, they aren't professional players, they're high school kids, I'd wouldn't be suprised if they're parents had to carry their bags for them after the game.
I just looked at the tournament rules. They cut the ice after each of the first three periods then again after each 2nd OT. They had plenty of rest. What a bunch of sissies
Posts: 8 | Location: Philly | Registered: 15 February 2008
Sounds like the right decision to me. Anything that happened to decide the game after 8 overtimes wouldn't really represent anything but luck. It wouldn't represent anything these kids had trained for. Plus, if the only choice was to suspend the game until Monday, the fact they they fought each other to a stand-still through regular time and 8 OVERTIMES, would essentially be erased. If there is ever a case for Co-Champions, this would be it, I think. An attaboy to those who made the decision!!
I dont understand all this stuff about health issues. Im guessing these kids play 15 min periods in high school like here and the ots where only 8 mins. Thats only 1 ot period in college or pros and i extra min, I played a couple games longer than that and we didnt even have anywhere near as many breaks as this game did, and yeh it was tiring but not dangerous. Plus they said it wasnt even midnight yet so its not like it was super late or something. They deff should have let the kids play till the game had a winner.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Matt Sacks,
raha --- They didn'y have time for a 9th OT before midnight and THEY HAD TO STOP AT MIDNIGHT. They can't play in Michigan on Sunday, so the game would have been suspended until Monday. Does this change your opinion?
If that was in Western Pennsylvania, it would have been curfewed !
There is something to be said for the Sportsmanship asepct of this game. You always hear 'that nobody deserved to lose' in lengthy overtimes. Well nobody won and nobody lost and both will be champions FOREVER. Great move by the State of Michigan
Originally posted by raha127: I dont understand all this stuff about health issues. Im guessing these kids play 15 min periods in high school like here and the ots where only 8 mins. Thats only 1 ot period in college or pros and i extra min, I played a couple games longer than that and we didnt even have anywhere near as many breaks as this game did, and yeh it was tiring but not dangerous. Plus they said it wasnt even midnight yet so its not like it was super late or something. They deff should have let the kids play till the game had a winner.
The problem could have become a medical situation very easily. It has nothing to do with pulling a muscle, ligament, etc. It has everything to do with dehydration and the loss of electrolytes. The loss of electrolytes can and will have an effect on a player's heartbeat. The article said that the players had already eaten everything that could possibly have been consumed and all they were drinking was water. Their bodies also needed salt in their system. In the professional games that have gone on like this, their fluids are replaced by getting I.V. fluids. I highly doubt that was an option in Michigan. So in the grand scheme of things, co-champions certainly was a better and safer alternative.
Like someone pointed out in the comments from the actual article - take a look at the picture and how happy ALL the kids are on both teams. Doesn't look like the kids were unhappy with co-champions, so it seems like they made the right call to me.
Posts: 300 | Location: Ridley Park | Registered: 26 February 2007
