Post by Rey Kahuka on Sept 14, 2020 13:20:35 GMT
Like I said earlier, no asterisk required. It's not like I'm saying I could throw a no hitter in an empty stadium. But no fans in the stands does affect how some players perform. I wish the Bruins had played game 7 on the road last year in the Cup finals. They were so tight in that game because they were at home, you could see it in the way they frantically hacked at the puck while the Blues simply let the game come to them and took advantage of their scoring opportunities. Pressure to perform to expectations is absolutely real.
I’m not saying that pressure isn’t real. What I’m saying is that I don’t buy the idea that a pitcher throwing a no-hitter is somehow linked to the idea that it was in an empty stadium. We’re talking about regular season baseball, it’s not like the stakes are astronomical either way.
You talk about Peyton thriving in standard conditions. What, like ‘quieter’ conditions? The playoffs are the playoffs whether fans are making a lot of noise or not. The stakes are higher because it’s the playoffs and championships are on the line, not because fans are slightly louder. Let’s argue that Peyton wilted under pressure. That pressure would be there regardless of whether fans are present, because it’s still the playoffs and all eyes are on them, and players who are susceptible to “choking” know this.
The Bruins lost because they were at home? If they were on the road or in an empty stadium they’d forget that they were playing in a Stanley Cup Final game 7? Nope, I just don’t buy it. If they were tight it’s because of the occasion.
Not 'quieter' conditions in all circumstances, just irregular circumstances; higher stakes, such as playoffs or late innings during a no-hitter.
The Bruins didn't lose because they were at home, they lost due to how they reacted to being at home. They let the pressure get to them. Obviously it doesn't always play out that way-- you play for home ice/field/court to have the advantage in those games. But you could see it as you watched that game, the pressure got to them. The same core players won the cup on the road (also a game 7) in 2011, I don't think it was the occasion that was too big for them.