Overtime rules gave Canada advantage

After Sidney Crosby’s goal went by Ryan Miller to give the Canadians a hockey gold medal Sunday, I couldn’t help but think the Americans were put at a disadvantage.

This is not an attempt to take anything away from the Canadians, probably the most talented team in the tournament and a well-deserving winner. Nor is it meant to undermine a Herculean effort by the Americans.

It’s just that overtime rules changed the complexion of the game, which gave the Canadians an advantage.

In Olympic hockey, sudden death overtime eliminates one player on the ice for each team. So instead of 5-on-5, the teams play 4-on-4.

One less player on the ice may seem miniscule on the surface, but it’s 20 percent of each team. That means more room for skating, skill and athleticism.

Fewer men on the ice favored Canadians, with their speed, finesse and agility. It made it harder for the Americans, who relied more on grit, positioning and physicality.

When Crosby entered the zone in overtime, his shot went from one side of the rink to the other. The Canadians were able to chase down the puck, as no American was fast enough. If there was another man on the ice, it would have been much less likely for the puck to go across the ice — and possibly resulted in a different outcome.

The 4-on-4 game is a different brand of hockey. It changes matchups, positioning, strategy, tendencies and essential aspects of the sport.

Imagine if basketball were to remove one player from the court. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant could roam free, much like Crosby did, with no one to keep up or guard them. Basketball wouldn’t be the same basketball as we know and practice it. Hockey, at 4-on-4, is no different.

Again, the Canadians won the medal fair and square, by the letter of the law.

But I think the 4-on-4 rule is worth revisiting. It just does not make sense to change the complexion of the sport after 60 minutes and when the game is on the line.

Sports reporter Evan Mohl can be reached at evan.mohl(at)galvnews.com or twitter.com/evanmohl. E-mail your ‘Bleacher Buzz’ letter (200-word limit) or guest column (350 words) to sports(at)galvnews.com.