The one thing I couldn't stand about the last season.
To preface, I'm American and a lifelong hockey player, didn't play at any significant level beyond ACHA, and am currently a travel hockey coach.
So, I finally got around to watching the final season of Shoresy. And the primary theme of the story is North American style hockey fading away. And I wholeheartedly agree with that message, especially when it comes to hitting being slowly taken out of the game.
But, what the final series shows a lot of is stick work. Slashes, cross-checks and spears, tons of it. THAT IS NOT PART OF THE GAME. What makes the Bobby Clarke slash standout is the fact it was dirty. And to show it as part of the game does a significant disservice.
I am, of course, biased here. I'm a big believer in stick on stick, body on body. Refs let too much go when it comes to stick work, especially sticks in hands (hooking in the hands). And this bothered me even more. And I wish they'd call more of the irresponsible stick work, but let more of the body contact go.
I guess I'm just venting here, but I don't think the final episode of season 5 is good for the game in that respect. And I really wish the producers of the show would steer away from it.