Should the NHL adopt the 'T.J. Oshie Rule'

The United States and Russia played one of the more memorable games since their 1980 matchup at Lake Placid.

The rivalry isn't as intense since the Cold War ended and professional players now are allowed to compete in the Olympics, but it was an important game the United States needed to win. Playing Russia on home ice really added to the excitement of the game, but no one could have guessed the game would end the way it did.

The United States won the game 3-2 in one of the most dramatic shootouts anyone has ever seen since the NHL adopted the shootout way back in 2005. However, the International Ice Hockey Federation runs the shootout a little differently than the NHL.Getting to watch USA play Russia is exciting enough, but the IIHF shootout rules helped make it that much better.

Tim Mitsos, Detroit Red Wings writer, made his opinion clear in a Yahoo Sports Article, “Let me start out by saying I think the shootout is gimmicky. A game shouldn't be decided by a one-on-one play, but since shootouts are the rule for the time being, IIHF rules would at least make the NHL shootouts better.”

NHL rule 84.4 states that a team may not repeat shooters until everyone eligible to shoot has done so. If the score is tied after each team's first three shooters, they must start selecting players who haven't taken a turn until the game ends.

Essentially, the shootout could last long enough to where teams are selecting third- and fourth-line forwards and, possibly, even defenseman. More times than not, these guys will not be successful.

The IIHF rules state you can use any skater once the initial three skaters have gone. Dan Bylsma, United States head coach, decided to use T.J. Oshie five more times after he took his initial shot.

Oshie went 4-for-6 playing a huge role in the United States getting the win. It was very exciting watching Oshie and the Russian goalie go one on one shot after shot. Both players have to think about their next move and try to stay one step ahead of the other.

David Poile, the general manager and architect of the U.S. squad, told NHL.com staff writer Corey Masisak that Oshie's shootout prowess was one of the deciding factors for including him on the roster.

Now everyone is asking why doesn’t the NHL do this? If it has the potential to be this exciting why wouldn’t they?

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly doesn’t see change coming anytime soon, “We haven’t even talked about that with our general managers at any point and time, but I would very surprised if the general managers would ever be supportive of that type of concept. It’s tough enough that they don’t like the shootout as it is.”

One NHL point is on the line when those superstars hit the ice for the shootout. You want your best players giving you the opportunity to win the game, and the IIHF rules allow you to do that. 

The Hoyas 350 pound basketball player continues to bite off more than he can chew now that he faces academic ineligibility

Joshua LaTrell Smith, junior at Georgetown University, is currently academically ineligible for the remainder of the season. The 6’10” 350 pound center has played basketball his whole life, but his career might be over after blowing a very generous second chance.

            Smith began his playing days at the Rotary Style Basketball Program in Seattle, Washington. The program dedicates itself to developing a child personally, athletically, and academically. Smith was required to maintain a “C” grade point average if he wanted to participate in the program.

Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons star, played for the same program. Smith said Stuckey is the athlete he most admires. Stuckey played for the Conquerors at Kentwood High School a few years before Smith joined the squad.

            Smith played a huge role during his four years at Kentwood High. He earned four varsity letters in basketball for the Conquerors and his Kentwood High team won the 2010 State Championship during his senior season.

            Jeremy Beck, current student at the University of Montana, played for Mead High School during the 2010 State Tournament. His team faced Kentwood in the first round of the tournament and lost 57-44. “There was no defending him. He was so much bigger than everyone else that there was nothing we could do to stop him”, Beck said.

            At the end of his senior year, Smith was rated the No. 1 center and No. 10 overall recruit in the country by ESPN. His next destination was UCLA.

            As a freshman, he finished the season with an average of 11 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Smith only recorded an average of 10 points and just under 5 rebounds a game his sophomore season.

UCLA fans expected much more out of their big man and he felt the same way. The reason for Smith’s downfall is simple. He was out of shape. He is often too winded to get down the court with everyone else, sometimes not even making it to the three-point line. "My whole career, I've never been in great shape. I can only imagine what would happen if I was,” Smith said.

Lucas Kianidehkian, UCLA student, is an avid Bruins basketball fan and he is furious with the way Smith played as a Bruin. “It’s embarrassing. That team had so much potential and they suck because of how heavy he is. He role is to be a “big” man, but he is just too big to get up and down the floor,” Kianidehkian said.

There was talk that Smith might declare for the NBA draft, but he decided to rejoin the Bruins for his junior season. He only appeared in six games recording an average of 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.

Smith decided to transfer to Georgetown last December and sat out the spring 2013 semester. He received a waiver to play in the fall without having to sit out a full two semesters. Receiving a waiver isn't uncommon when a medical issue is given as the reason, but Smith was given a rare exception for two seasons of remaining eligibility. This was his second chance.

What did Smith do with this opportunity? He was averaging 11.5 points and 3.4 rebounds, until he was deemed academically ineligible for the remainder of the season. The Hoyas are 10-3 with him, 5-5 without him so far this season. They were running much of their offense through Smith when he was on the floor. Only time will tell if Smith ever steps foot on the court again.