Well, the NHL’s two new initiatives for ’15-16 seem to be going swimmingly.
Not long after Ottawa successfully made the second-ever coach’s challenge, fans got their first look at 3-on-3 overtime.
And what a look it was.
In the span of 137 seconds, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers combined for eight shots on goal, a few breakaways, some tremendous saves -- including one on a penalty shot -- and, finally, Jason Garrison’s game-winning goal on a breakaway from center, giving the Bolts a 3-2 win.
It was, in a word, fun.
Lots of fun.
A quick sampling of reviews:
This 3-on-3 OT hockey has me wondering if removing a player from each team every 5 minutes in soccer extra-time might be a good idea.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 9, 2015
I doubt everyone caught TB/Philly, but I have an an observation about new NHL 3 on 3 OT: it's sick. Total insanity. People will love it
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 9, 2015
I'd say the 3-on-3 is a big hit with the fans. Amalie Arena going absolutely nuts right now. #TBLightning #PHIvsTBL
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) October 9, 2015
Just make the entire league 3 on 3
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) October 9, 2015
I've done the calculations and 3-on-3 overtime is 675 times more entertaining than the shootout.
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) October 9, 2015
Of course, not everybody was a fan:
Bishop, the winning goalie, not a fan of 3-on-3 OT, calls it a "gong show" and "goofy" http://t.co/PJZAY1ssqd
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) October 9, 2015
Now, to temper things a bit -- this was the first time we’ve seen 3-on-3 with something on the line, so there was a novelty factor at play. There’s also no guaranteeing future OT sessions will be as exciting as this.
But none of that takes away from the fact 3-on-3 made for appointment viewing, and immense entertainment value. The prospect of future games like this? That’s pretty exciting.