Air Force won friday night by playing a second period that was their
best consecutive 20 minutes of hockey all season.  They seemed sparked
by the (to those of us down in the air force families section) obviously
bogus major and game misconduct handed to Eric Rice in the first
period.  Along with that came a bench minor, so Air force was looking
at a full 2 minutes of 5 on 3 disadvantage plus three minutes more of
5 on 4 disadvantage.  Holding army to one goal during that period and
coming back to tie the game late in the first period seemed to park
the falcons who exploded in the second period.
 
The officiating by MacConaghy was absolutely terrible.  He was
inconsistent and seemed to be ignoring some infractions and calling
others.  My feelings were confirmed from several sources including
HOCKEY-L member Major Richard Jenkins from Army.
 
Saturday, Army turned it up a notch, and air force did not skate with
the intensity they showed friday.  Air Force stepped it up in the last
5 minutes to close within one goal, but it was a case of too little to
late.
 
Also, MacConaghy's officiating, which i felt was even more inconsistent
than friday night did not help.  The physical stuff like late hits, hitting
after the whistle, the roughing, cross checking, hitting from behind, and
the like either were no calls or coincidental minors, one apparently for
hitting and the other for receiving.  He called several holdings,
typically the holding of an opponent's stick, but not headlocks and
dehelmetings.  I also believe there were at least 3 misconducts handed
out, presumably for a player saying something like, "Sir, how could
that possibly not be a penalty on my noble and worthy opponent?"
 
Finally, I'd like to extend public thanks to Major Jenkins for taking the
time friday afternoon to give my brother, my 12 year old son, and me a most
interesting tour of the facilities at west point.
 
charlie shub  [log in to unmask]  -or-  cdash@colospgs (BITNET)
  or even         (719) 593-3492