I have several schools of thought on "embellishment".
1. Diving. I HATE diving embellishment, if the guy didn't trip you, don't dive. That stinks.
But in some regard... I understand it.
A guy like Stamkos has break-away speed... and lots of guys are putting just a slight little tug on the top of the laces. Just a little tug, can pull a player from accelerating.
After a while, it gets frustrating. Have it happen 10 times without being called... you start to fall more often.
Sucks that it happens but NHL head of officiating would really have to crack down.
2. High-stick faking. THIS... you know... I'm not sure I mind so much. If a guy gets his stick up on you... that's a high-stick. For anybody that has actually gotten a real life hockey stick in the face... during a game... it can friggin hurt. So if a guy gets his stick up near my effin jaw - he should be in the box. Don't put him in the box and guys start Plekanec-ing. So, I hated that Plek acts, cause that sucks, but every player that gets his stick up above the ribs, even a tap, anywhere on an opposing player - should be gone for high-sticking. Keep your stick under control. It's a friggin spear.
Ultimately, people need to pick their argument.
If you want to stop the "fakers", you have to call everything that IS a penalty.
But these same people that bitch about "fakers" also bitch when there isn't any flow to a game... "let them play" people say.
Yeah... if you let them play, you aren't calling stuff, and if you aren't calling stuff that should be called, guys start faking.
I've never been a faker.
My whole life during games - I haven't ever faked even the slightest of injuries... but then again, I don't play at a competitive level.
I don't know... I think the game is pretty good now.
Officials have found that happy medium - and the league officiating will slowly start identifying the "floppers" and "fakers" and start whistling them for "Plekanecing"... so I don't the game requires any change.
Great article.
Thumbs up.