i guess the shootout is necessary so that tv broadcast don't over run into news time, etc
i don't enjoy it either and the all star game shootout thing is even more ridiculous, same with the NBA slam dunk, imo
i do enjoy the dropping of a player for the 4 on 4 OT though...and i think after 5 minutes, if still tied it should go to 3 on 3....etc, etc until it may just be the goalies left playing 'Showdown'...if it came to that, this is the type of shootout i would enjoy
ahhh, memories....trivia: they used to tape the show in Markham (when it was still 'country'), it was good ice