A comment on Saturday's WI-Michigan Tech game.  I was there, and saw the
check from behind in the third period that drew a five minute major and DQ.
I agree that I've seen much worse hits (some not given five minutes, too).
The commentators on the tape delay TV broadcast seemed a bit surprised at
the major and DQ, and mentioned that this reflects the league's change in
the way they call this type of penalty.  If the MTU player had left his
feet, then there would have been no doubt.  As it was, it was a strong
check from behind that left the WI player (Doers) on the ice for about a
minute with his brains a bit scrambled.  Definitely two minutes, but
without the obvious malicious intent that I've seen in other major
penalties.
 
Trivia note: both goalies in the contest were assessed minor penalties
during the course of game, for retaliating after "accidental" collisions.
After letting up a soft goal in the first few minutes, Ram did all he could
to help Tech, standing on his head for some of the saves.  The score could
have been much, much more lopsided.  To repeat a joke from earlier this
season, Jamie Ram should sue his defensemen for lack of support.  If you
stop the first four shots in a flurry, you shouldn't feel bad that the
fifth went in -- the puck should have been cleared by that point.
 
WCHA race looks like it's going to be a lot of fun, and the Final Five is
looking to be wild.  Any one of five teams could win this thing....
 
 
-===-John R. [log in to unmask] Chem. Dept-===-