A pre-season game is a fancy term for an exhibition game. No matter how one tries to spin the importance of a “preparation” match, an exhibition game has no impact on the league standings; in essence, it is a glorified scrimmage to help assess talent.
These warm-up games serve a purpose since they are intended to familiarize teammates with each other and prepare for “real” games.
The pre-season is in the fore-front. The NHL and NBA will play exhibition games in the near future, the WHL and BCHL are concluding pre-season play this weekend and the NFL wrapped up dress rehearsal games two weeks ago in anticipation of the regular season.
There are varying theories on the importance of “winning” during the exhibition season. One notion suggests that with no points, standings or championships on the line the “W” is irrelevant. In other words, just surviving pre-season games without obtaining a significant injury is a victory unto itself.
On the other hand, one can argue that although pre-season results are not official, it is important for a team to establish a winning attitude. Even if two points are not at stake, a team should not let its guard down because that is where injuries can occur and where bad habits are created.
I subscribe to the first philosophy. The “result” of a pre-season game has no significance, and I am not sure if there is a real purpose to keeping score. I suppose that past history shows that fans and media want a result, but the final outcomes of these games contain virtually no substance.
In reality an exhibition game is equivalent to:
• A singer belting out tunes in the shower prior to performing in a concert.
• A teacher handing out a practice test to students that will have no bearing on a report card.
• A doctor working on a dummy in preparation for using that same technique on a patient in the operating room.
• A trial run for race cars the day before the Indianapolis 500.
• A bull rider practicing on a mechanical bull in a local pub the day before the Calgary Stampede.
An exhibition game allows prospects and bubble players an opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the team. The established veterans and/or star players need a minimal amount of playing time just to prepare them for the regular season. Those key core players have a spot locked up (even if coaches try to suggest otherwise), so human nature suggests these vets will not participate to their full extent. Why should they? Yet, fans shell out significant dollars to watch these kinds of “Friendly” matches.
If exhibition results carried any weight, then why would no team exchange a perfect pre-season record followed by a loss in the regular season opener rather than vice versa. Every team in an established league would rather be 0-6 in the pre-season and 1-0 in the regular season rather than 6-0 in the pre-season and 0-1 in the regular season.
Last year the Prince George Cougars finished 5-0 in the pre-season, outscored the opposition 25-8 but missed the WHL playoffs. Also, in 2013, the Edmonton Oil Kings finished 1-4 in pre-season play and were outscored 21-12; yet they won the Memorial Cup. Yes, an extreme example, but it helps place pre-season results in context.
On rare occasions one can be tricked by the terminology of “exhibition”. For instance, the historic 1972 hockey series between Canada and Russia; it’s hysterical to think that 42 years ago (Game one Sept 2, 72) the Summit series was deemed an 8-game exhibition. There was more emotion in that battle than any Stanley Cup Final and arguably any North American sporting event period.
At times, I am not sure about the relevance of all regular season games in some sports, let alone exhibition results.
Pre-season scoreboard results can lead to dismay. The example, the 2008 Detroit Lions earned a flawless pre-season with a 4-0 record. Those same Lions received the dubious distinction of being the first team in NFL history to finish 0-16 in regular season play.
Oh well, the beauty of the word “exhibition” lies is in the eye of the beholder.
From the Quote Rack:
Josh Gordon is ineligible to play in the NFL or CFL this year due to his marijuana suspension, but the Browns receiver is going to work for an Ohio car dealer. So will their slogan be “At least our prices aren’t high.”
Roger Goodell says his job is not on the line. Because the NFL commissioner doesn’t think there is any video of him looking at the Ray Rice elevator video?
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Looks like former FBI Chief Robert S. Mueller III is gathering people from all about to run a spread offense against Roger Goodell, the NFL, and what appears to be a Cover 4 Defense.
The Rice in-elevator security footage image will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. As if Ray and Janay needed another jinx.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Seahawks all-star cornerback Richard Sherman graces the front of Madden NFL 15. Can’t see it going to his head: he already thought of himself as football’s best cover guy.
Reuters reports a Chinese farmer has invented a zip line so his pigs literally fly from one truck to another. In a related item, the Maple Leafs might win this year’s Stanley Cup.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
And in case you missed it:
Canada’s Dept of National Defense is preparing to buy 12 canine-mounted vests and camera systems for use in operations. So far tests have shown stunning super clear high definition close up pictures of every fire hydrant within a mile of the dog.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for radio station TheGoat94.3 His column appears weekly on hqprincegeorge.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller