MLRH hooks up with.......coming soon! [Archive]

Alvare71

08-22-2006, 06:05 PM

I just got off the phone with Bill.........and I do have to say I am very excited about what he told me. I can't tell you the whole coversation or go into detail. But he does have teams coming into this years season, I will tell you this I am in the works with 4 to 6 possible teams out here in California, I am not going to say how many are confirmed right now because we know how teams change there minds. But there will be a western Division(Not Just Cali), with teams that will be scheduled to play back on the east coast. As of right now it is looking very strong and he is meeting with a heavy weight in our industry within the next couple weeks. He did not put me up to this and I am not a PR guy, I just want to see it our sport grow. Now this is not a rumor or is it set in gold as far this league ends up.....But it is very good news.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

TeamBreakaway

08-22-2006, 07:58 PM

Well, Based on the fact that NARCh is hosting a Nationals in Sheffield in Europe and that MLRH has some ties there I'm guessing that Both are hooking up like USA Hockey did with NARCh.
I'm not sure but again it would be my guess!

http://www.eteamz.com/TeamBreakaway/images/teamlogo.gif

Superstar9

08-22-2006, 11:08 PM

I'll confirm Alvarez's statement. I recieved a call with the same news. Nothing is concrete, I don't know where I stand on all of it but, it was brought to me as well.

-Street-
www.PlanetRollerHockey.com
www.HockeyWheelz.com
www.Hockey9.com
COMING SOON

SpeedDemon

08-23-2006, 12:08 PM

Don't we hear this, like, every year though?

SpiderRat

08-23-2006, 12:24 PM

Never under estimate Bill. He's a smart man and I wouldn't doubt it if he had something good planned. Besides, what's wrong with a few positive posts when it comes to promoting inline hockey.

Blah Blah Blah, Shoot the puck already

wolves89

08-23-2006, 02:51 PM

It's just a shame that the XIHL came in and ruined MLRH after it's best year.. it was really taking off... now i think PIHA is the place to be... if we could get a few more rule changes; hitting or offsides would be a huge help to keep some scores down and draw a few more fans, but i also understand the insurance issues when you are dealing with full contact. oh well, def looking foward to the new season!

i'm not slow, i'm patient

SirCoach2U

08-23-2006, 03:30 PM

Why would anyone want off-sides called in roller? That is one of the main rules that makes our sport unique from ice. Roller/Inline is supposed to be a seperate sport from ice hockey, not simply ice hockey on another surface.

Troho9

08-23-2006, 03:39 PM

Maybe offsides, to an extent, wouldn't be that bad, example: What if on all power plays there was offsides? Than you could play touching up at the center line on a power play when the penalty killing team clears is always cool, it actually gives the PK a chance. Or the PK can stand the PP units up before they even get in the zone, add a whole different dimension to special teams.

bird86

08-23-2006, 05:25 PM

Offsides is a retarded idea, its for ice not roller. offsides would only slow down the game, if you want lower scores get defensmen and goalies.

Troho9

08-23-2006, 05:41 PM

The suggestion was not for full time offsides, rather a variation of it to spice the special teams up alittle. As for it being retarded I think thats a little harsh. How about you (bird86) give some reasons why you say no to a offsides rule instead of criticizing all of the defenseman and goalies throught the entire PIHA league.

MBurke

08-23-2006, 06:10 PM

I'm curious as to how bird86 thinks offsides slows down the game, too.

I think it's generally accepted that roller hockey (played "properly") is a slower game than ice hockey relying more on puck control. I've seen plenty of roller hockey games (especially at the elite tournament level) with less than 10 shots per side - I can't say I've seen many ice hockey games like that.

Mike BurkeEdited by MikeBurke on 08/23/06 05:10 PM.

Troho9

08-23-2006, 06:59 PM

I can understand the concept that there is a definate possibility of more whistles and there probably will be but your point is to the core of the answer. Ice is played at a faster pace (actual game speed) North-South and Inline is played at a more "chess" like East-West pace. Both are equally entertaining, depending on what style you like to watch. You can go to a NARCH Nationals and see the Juniors, Midgets and D1 players flying all over the floor or watch a PRO game and see strategies.

officerfarva

08-23-2006, 06:59 PM

OK Mike I wouldnt consider ncrha elite level, and I feel sorry for you if youve seen games that only have ten shots on each sides. I think offsides would ruin roller hockey, if it was such a good idea Narch, TORHS, and AAU would use it.

wolves89

08-23-2006, 07:49 PM

actually dude if you watched any narch Pro or D-1 games this summer you would have seen a lot of those games, including the D-1 final snipers vs militia, and both of those teams are tops in the country at the elite level... get your facts straight first please...

i'm not slow, i'm patient

wolves89

08-23-2006, 07:51 PM

cant critisize them all... Joey D. had a 1.86 gaa, .922 sv % and 3 shutouts in the playoffs this past season... those are great ice hockey numbers and AMAZING numbers for roller hockey!

i'm not slow, i'm patient

Alvare71

08-24-2006, 02:00 AM

Ok, I did not want to come into this topic because I hate to argue the point. Pro Inline hockey would never attract the talent needed to keep fans in there seat. RHI,MLRH. Only brought in west coast and semi Pro Ice hockey players and they did not like the fact that there were no blue lines. Bird how many fans have you played in front of in an NHL arena, I have!!, I have B**** too!!, but I don't hang them on a wall to show my friends that I have them. How many fans have you played in front of at narch level. Thats my point.....You will not get an owner that will pay a player that is leading scorer of there house league and that has never stepped on a sheet of ice. And if you do not want to get hurt pick a different sport.Roller hockey is ment to be a high scoring game, Offsides keeps the best players honest, because if I was playing against you I would sneek behind you every time and you would call me captian cherry picker... and you could never stop me... now think about the game, not your ego.....Because in Narch Pro, if they skate like maniacs they lose the game.. when you have alot on the line you play smart

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?Edited by Alvare71 on 08/24/06 01:09 AM.

Alvare71

08-24-2006, 02:26 AM

Bird, sorry I forgot one thing, when did you think roller hockey started offsides, last week, new subject?....I have been knocked out in front of 8000 fans, and what makes me mad is that you think I have to prove myself to you and everyone new that comes along.. the last pro player that was payed was over 7 years ago.. and I still have to work a full time job/// I love this sport and I have backed out of it more time than you would ever realize... and when it comes to bill, I have been pissed off at him more than anybody on this site..but we get over it and move on. so if you want to discuss any subject on pro roller hockey, lets do it.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

SirCoach2U

08-24-2006, 08:43 AM

It's great to see these two styles collide!

MBurke

08-24-2006, 09:18 AM

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr>

OK Mike I wouldnt consider ncrha elite level, and I feel sorry for you if youve seen games that only have ten shots on each sides. I think offsides would ruin roller hockey, if it was such a good idea Narch, TORHS, and AAU would use it.

<hr></blockquote>

Who said I was referring to NCRHA? By and large, most NCRHA teams don't play that way, anyways, and some of the top teams have gotten to the point where they'd be competitive NARCh teams - which, considering the restrictions put upon them for players, is pretty amazing.

My experience in hockey extends outside the realm of NCRHA, but I'm not here to spout about my resume because it's a moot point.

That said, I was referring to NARCh DI/Pro, mainly. To quote Ian Mackie's review off the NARCh blogs page:
<blockquote>In reply to:<hr>

The Division 1 Championship would see the Mission Militia and the Mission Snipers battle it out. The Snipers relied on the deliberate style of play and slowed the game down. The Militia had two choices here; force the play or lay back. They decided to lay back and play the Snipers style. This took away the game from the Militia. The frustration was evident on the bench. This game would head to overtime as well with the score tied at zero. The slow it down game continued for the Snipers. They took the one chance they had and buried it. Pat Cannone would be the hero of this game. Tonight the town will be painted Sniper black and yellow, lock up all the women!

<hr></blockquote>

To be completely honest, I'm thrilled that I didn't have to be there to watch that game.

Mike Burke

yokes

08-24-2006, 01:06 PM

I know of a couple Narch/Torhs pro finals that involved less then ten shots aside. A couple years back the Mudcats were involved in some of these games and lost. Offsides would def. not slow down this game. If anything it would be made to speed up!! U cut the rink in half so offenses are FORCED to use a breakout with all four players which is how rushes start. Also Defenses only have to cover half a rink so they can pressure the O to move faster and cause turnovers, instead of everyone spreading the length of the floor and passing around and around if you have a lead. Ive played in both MLRH and PIHA but never RHI and MLRH of old so i can only speak from experience of a little lower level. Ive only played in Speedhockey which was unbelievably fast and even as a goalie facing close to 50 shots in a half i loved it!!

"Only God saves more than Yokes" Edited by yokes on 08/24/06 12:08 PM.

DaveGarland

08-25-2006, 02:17 AM

Hey guys,
Interesting debate going on. There are many different types of roller hockey played, obviously there is not just one style. I think each style has a different purpose. In NARCh, the goal for my team (Mission Empire Snipers D-1) is to win the thing...not entertain the fans. This of course leads to some dreadfully 'boring' games from a spectator perspective. For example, we tied the Canadian Coldshots 0-0 during a round robin game...yippy. When we beat the Militia, we held the puck for five minutes (which is huge in a 24 minute game). Some of my friends came up to me after the games and said, "I almost fell asleep." It was cited above that elite tournament roller hockey is similar to chess and I agree. I would enjoy watching the games no matter what the score, but I'm also crazy and obsessed with roller hockey.
On the other hand, pro roller hockey has a dual-edged sword. Sure, you play to win; however, there is also some kind of implicit or explicit 'duty' to entertain the fans as well. Of course the fans could be three people or three hundred or maybe one days three thousand, but offsides may not be a terrible way of focusing on more offense. I'm personally not the biggest fan of offsides, but perhaps it could work. I'm not sure how I really feel about the offsides rule itself but I do agree that the games need to be high-scoring and entertaining.
-Dave

Alvare71

08-25-2006, 02:50 AM

I really agree with you, on the fact that if your paying to play in a tournament you are there for a victory, but when you get a paycheck and people pay to watch, well you have to entertain, We all go to the movies, no one on this site would pay for a movie that is boring or know how the outcome is going to be. when I was in nevada and playing in the CIHL we were in front of K-Mart promoting our league, and I was thinking why are we sitting in front of k-mart, and I will never forget what my coach told me. you are an entertainer, it does not matter about the game anymore, fans come to watch us and want to see an exciting game.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

CoachClipboard

08-25-2006, 03:33 AM

You played in front of 8000 fans in the CIHL?????? NHL Crowd? Arena?...why did they have you in front of a Kmart with attendance numbers that high? (Internet hockey database, turned up dry)

It's amazing what a team can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.

Alvare71

08-25-2006, 03:59 AM

The Continental Inline Hockey League was never put in the hockey data base and it was in carson city nevada, reno had a team, San fransico, temcula, victorville, texas,phoenix,las vegas and I want to say la, but this was over 10 years ago and it was only on the west coast. and we were in front of k-mart for the kids, because back then k-mart just started there super k-marts, they were one of our sponsors. details I don't have them all, its been along time.http://home.netcom.com/~fulgaro/leagues.html
I found this I am still looking

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?Edited by Alvare71 on 08/25/06 03:05 AM.

Alvare71

08-25-2006, 04:15 AM

http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/lvsports/rollerhockey.html

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

MBurke

08-25-2006, 09:09 AM

Dave,

Wasn't knocking the style itself at all - as I said in my first post, it is the "proper" way to play at those tournaments - unless you have a vastly superior team, the sheer amount of games in a weekend and nature of the game almost dictate that style.

I can watch a game or two like that, but to me it becomes like watching a football game where a team knows they can gain three yards on every single running play - the "correct" strategy then becomes to run the ball up the gut every single down.

Getting back to the (hijacked) topic of the post - whether offsides was a good idea for roller hockey. I personally think carry-over offsides is the best solution I've yet seen - it allows people to spread out the floor while curbing cherry-picking to an extent. All the benefits with very few of the drawbacks.

As for high-scoring being exciting... I don't know if I can draw that parallel (admitted bias because I'm a goaltender). However, I always found low scoring games with good flow to be a lot more entertaining than high-scoring games where there were no good plays or rushes set up.

Mike Burke

CoachClipboard

08-25-2006, 10:18 AM

Dave, thanks for the info, I was just curious to know more about the CIHL. I had not heard of it before. and I wasnt looking up your name in the hockey db, but the league and any info on it. Your reply and info brings light onto it for me. 8000 fans is still huge crowds. for any minor league game. The Kmart thing I understood what you were doing (signing for kids) but I thought with crowds that large the owner wouldnt find that necessary. But if Kmart was a sponsor, it was probably within the framework of that sponsorship.

It's amazing what a team can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.

WMBG_GM

08-25-2006, 10:24 AM

(coming out of my lurking mode)

Personally, I'm a big fan of the 'carry-over' offsides. From a fan, player (lousy one at that), and promoter perspective I think it makes the game much more interesting. Any time you compress the floor, it leads to interesting things happening. When you combine it with the contact game it really ups the ante (so to speak). I honestly have felt for a long time that this was the one big plus (from the promoter's view) MLRH-AAA had going (self destructive habits not withstanding).

Honestly, if I were (a) still trying to sell tickets to a roller game and (b) on a rules committee somewhere, I would be pushing really hard to see the carry-over offsides added and then modified on the PP so that anytime the puck left the zone (not just tossed out by the PK) the O had to 'touch-up'. That would give the PK an incentive to attack the point more. Most roller PKs seem to just stay low and try and get a body in front of the shooter. Which basically means the goalie never sees the shot. I understand goalies like that..... Alot! :)

If you really wanted to get funky, add 2 blue lines, drop the center line much like NHL now. Make offsides work all the time like I suggest above for the PP. Also (and this might be too confusing) the rule should be that you can pass over 1 line per possesion. Meaning you could skate out of your defensive zone and pass into the offensive zone, or pass out and skate in, but not both. Might be too cumbersome in practice, but on paper I see where it can really open up options. Carry over for both lines would probably be too much.

Of course all the purists in the crowd are now looking for sticks to beat me with, but then again, you are most likely still having issues with the trapizoid and shootout so I should have a chance to escape :)

Ben Loyall

Alvare71

08-25-2006, 12:24 PM

I was not disagreeing with you, I was on your side with the style needed to win in 2 different games.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

Alvare71

08-25-2006, 12:26 PM

Anytime.....It was great league but as we know, semi-pro or pro roller hockey has some really big problems.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

Troho9

08-25-2006, 01:21 PM

Its just wrong to single out every defenseman and goaltender for the result of a team game. Thats like saying in a 1-0 hockey game it the forwards fault that you lost.

DaveGarland

08-25-2006, 07:56 PM

Mike,
I know you weren't knocking the style; I was just commenting overall on the entire topic.

Also, I agree low-scoring games can be exciting(for those who don't me I'm also a bias goalie). When I said 'high scoring', I mixed up the term. I think it comes down to flow and scoring opportunities. There needs to be a flow to the game and scoring opportunities. Then, Mike Burke can stop them all ;)
-Dave

MDE3

08-27-2006, 10:03 AM

The name of the game for years in elite Inline hockey has been "puck control"....when you have to defend the entire floor, this gives a major advantage to the offensive team. Cut that defensive zone in half, and the game changes...significantly for the better in my opinion with much more challenging going on. Having watched both styles of play during multiple seasons....I would not ever argue against off sides as a better way to speed up play.

Full Contact:

As to full contact...well those of you who know me, or vaguely remember me....will know my position....significant physical liability reasons not withstanding, which for any true "Pro" league to succeed must be addressed for either full or non contact versions..injuries occur about equally in both versions....

Point One:

Where you know you are going to be hit...constant vigilance helps eliminate a lot of the risk...where you do not expect to be hit, and incidental collisions occur...you are more prone to get hurt.

Point Two:

Full contact forces players to learn (long term) better skating techniques both defensively and offensively...to hit or avoid same you must know how to move and anticipate better (maintain cg over feet better) than where full contact is not permitted. The best of the inline hockey players still usually come from those who have played some serious ice hockey somewhere....why is that??? Maybe technical skating training?

Pont three:

For those who have played both full and "non" contact versions of "Pro" inline....I think that they would agree that the levels of fan excitement during the full contact versions outway the fan excitement levels of the non contact version by about 10 :1. The "strategic game" as it has been described of "puck control" without contact or offsides...is fine for those fans who know and love the game....however that style will not "draw" many new fans, and will often discourage existing fans. Piha tends to be played less like Narch pro and Tohrs Pro, and is a more "hell bent for leather" type of game....however there is no purse on the line. Put up some serious stakes and the game would revert to a Narch style Pro contest where puck control (winning not entertaining) is pre-eminent.

Watching classic puck control inline hockey is fine for officianados of that style of elite play....in the same way that listening to a lone jazz guitarist can be exciting..to other jazz guitarists....

born2runPROgm

08-27-2006, 10:50 AM

I have always liked the TORHS Pro rules for hitting (withing 5-10 feet of the boards is allowed)... I think it enables players to be more physical without things getting out of control.

Just to point something out... there is a lot of contact in PIHA... Certainly nothing like mlrh but still some good battles along the boards none the less... The good refs in the league allow players who are both going for the puck to hit in order to get to the puck or seperate the opposing player from the it.

I think a great example of this is the Minutemen. They have a relatively small rink and were a big and extremely phyisical team (in a good way!)... They had a great style that worked well for them in small rinks... Although we only played two games in Morristown last year, the games were probably the best reffed and most exciting of the season for us... It was obvious the Minutemen players new how to hit and be physical while keeping it within the rules and it served them well... The games had tons of shots and great scoring oppertunities as well.

Just wanted to point out that piha games are not slow, boring or unphysical.... Obviously nowhere near as rough as the mlrh games as I said before but still highly entertaining....

As for the offsides, the biggest problem I had in mlrh/xihl was the way the ruling would stop play with frequent whistles (just like in ice hockey)... many, many more whistles and with the 4 quarter format the games went very slowly... I mean it would take at least 3 hours to play our games I remember.....

Just my take... I think this is a good debate and it's interesting to see everyones opinion on the offsides and hitting...

"The defenseman formerly known as #11"

hockeydoc

08-28-2006, 02:44 PM

All this debate is interesting. I think it's a legit issue that some standard to game needs to be addressed and having the entertainment factor being primary is important to get the game more of a fan base.

That being said, what are your thoughts on some type of a shot clock, to force the pace. A basketball type off sides w/ a shot clock would certainly limit a control games offensive advantage, hastening pace and forcing more puck battles.

Just throwing out some more thoughts to ponder.

Troho9

08-28-2006, 02:57 PM

I don't know about that one, seems a little to weird. The debate about off-sides is at the least valid since there is a form of hockey played with off-sides already. Also I believe there is a game clock already, that, depending on what league/tournament you play in already limits you to 10/12/17 minutes. As for the entertainment side of it, I do not see any appeal to having a shot clock. Sorry you may find some that agree but I am against that idea. I would be more in-favor of having ramps on the floor... hmmm what a great idea!

jaycar

08-28-2006, 03:17 PM

I dont think a shot clock is a good idea. I have only played in the MLRH and the offsides rule isnt that bad. It does limit the cherry pickers. Maybe a modified contact wouldn't be so bad. Where as you use the body to shield off a puck carrier and dont allow someone coming from half way across the rink to just level someone.

yokes

08-28-2006, 05:53 PM

Now thats a thought, Tro going over a ramp!!!!

"Only God saves more than Yokes"

Troho9

08-29-2006, 09:26 AM

As long as there are safety mats or a pool on the other side of the ramp I am in.

SirCoach2U

08-29-2006, 09:33 AM

I think a lot of people that may support a shot clock, or some other idea to "keep the game moving" are thinking of teams that like to hang out behind the net and kill the clock, or don't advance the puck.

One idea I had that would keep the game "pure" in my mind, and possibly elimanate some of the "clock killing" behind the net, would be to move the net/goaline towards the center red line another ~5 feet. They did this in the NHL and it certainly changed the game behind the net.

It would then be much more difficult to hang out back there, you wouldn't need a shot clock, and the puck would flow more. IF...that is what you are going for.

vitaminchi

08-29-2006, 11:35 AM

personally, i'm all about slowing the game down, and killing time on the clock when we have a lead. make the other team plan man on man defensively, make them mess up and capitalize on their mistakes. i'll sit behind our own net all day. however, offsides, hitting, those are good options for the game as well. i like diversity...but, since roller hockey is played out of pretty much ANYWHERE that has sport court, boards and 2 nets, it's hard to have official rules to a "pro" game that has different size rinks at every "pro" teams home.

for instance, the hartford thunder had a huge rink in glastonbury (Z-rink), now, having offsides and hitting there isn't bad, speeds up the game a little bit, but still allowing them to play a slow down style.

now move them to a smaller rink, let's see either holbrook/morristown, boston storm and minutemen respectively, the whole game changes. hitting becomes crucial, offsides becomes crucial, and the pace of the game changes. you can't spread the puck out in your defensive zone long enough to get a man through the red line, the other team just has to pressure you in your own zone. which is, i guess, something that fans want to see, and would most likely lead to home team advantage.

but really, having a smaller rink with offsides is more advantageous to the home team, since all you really have to do is step up at the red line and force teams to regroup into their own zone again.

my 2 cents.