Good points. I forgot to mention all the stupid rules tinkering. Teams would have figured out a way to beat the “trap” defense (thanks, Devils) eventually. And what the hell was wrong with regular season ties anyway? The system worked in the NHL for 50+ years or whatever, and I never had a problem with a regular season tie. Each team got a point, so what? The 5-minute overtime was okay, I suppose, but the shootouts? Ludicrous.
Yeah, I miss ‘70s and ‘80s hockey.
i have those Canada Cups games from 1984 and 1987 on DVD...Team Canada vs the Soviets...Gretzky and Mario on the the same line..man,astonishing hockey games.