(from the Thursday, Oct 20th, Bangor Daily News  .. wts)
 
by Larry Mahoney of the NEWS staff
 
College hockey rules will feature a few new wrinkles this year.
 
If there are matching minor penalties, each team will skate a man short.
If another set of matching minors is called, teams *can* replace those
two skaters.
 
In other words, the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee is saying yes to
four-on-four but no to three-on-three.
 
During the past few seasons, teams were able to replace skaters when
coincidental matching minors were assessed, resulting in few
four-on-four and three-on-three situations.  Several years ago, teams
could not replace skaters when matching minors were doled out so there
would be several four-on-four and three-on-three situations.
 
"I like being able to have more four-on-fours," said Maine coach Shawn
Walsh.  "It opens up the game.  It makes it a better game.  It gives the
skilled players more room."
 
Northeastern University Coach Ben Smith doesn't like the rule.  "It will
take kids out of the game," he said.
 
One of the knocks on the four-on-four and three-on-three hockey is that
third and fourth line forwards often missed several shifts.
 
Meanwhile, the primary point of emphasis is interference.  Referees have
been instructed to clamp down on players who block out an opponent
attempting to forecheck or obtain the puck;  interfere in front of the
net;  hook or hold an opponent not in possession of the puck and hold an
opponent's stick.
 
"We really emphasized it and every game I've seen so far, the referees
are calling it just about every time," said Walsh, who supports the
clampdown on interference.
 
"Nobody wants to see a mugging or see people clog up the neutral zone,"
said Walsh.  "This will enable the skilled players to exhibit their
skills."
 
The referees have also been told to continue calling hitting from behind
and fighting majors and to assess penalties for abusive language or acts
of disrespect.
 
(end of quoted material)
 
Wayne Smith
The College Hockey Discussion List administrator
Systems Group - CAPS              BITNET/CREN:  wts@maine
University of Maine System        internet:     [log in to unmask]
 
P.S. Friday night Maine at UAF   -   just ended    -
 
     Maine  1  2  0  -  3
     UAF    0  2  0  -  2
 
     UAF player *much* better, as the score shows.  Either team might
     have won.
 
Scoring:
 
1 - 11:52 M 1-0 Clukey (Dekker and Thompson)
 
2 -  3:13 F 1-1 Scott (Bowtell) (short-handed)
 
  - 10:48 M 2-1 Imes (Thompson) (pp)
 
  - 14:55 F 2-2 Frazier (unassisted)
 
  - 19:55 M 3-2 Libby (Purdie and Tempestelli) (pp)
 
3 - no scoring
 
Attendance: 4353