Paul Gentile wrote:
 
<snip>
 
> Also, when a team makes an illegal-stick appeal, aren't they risking a penalty if
> their "target" stick actually turns out to be legal? If so, any coach who tries
> this tactic late in a game is savvy and cunning. I'm sure they wouldn't try it
 
<snip>
 
Yes, and yes.  It's a 2 minute delay of game penalty if the challenged stick is legal,
and obviously, you wouldn't want to take a chance late in a close game (only time I've
ever seen an illegal stick penalty called) unless you were _positive_ the stick would be
illegal.  My guess is that coaches and/or players have a pretty good idea who does and
doesn't use an illegal stick throughout the season; they just rarely use the challenge.
Also, it may be that the illegal sticks are usually exchanged when the offending team is
in a position that the opposing team might be able to call them on it and  take the game
away.  Maybe the 'gentleman's agreement' that everyone's been discussing is actually 'I
know that your players use illegal sticks; just make sure they go back to the bench at
the end of a close game and I won't call you on it'.  Any comments from coaches/players
on this, or is it 'inside information'?(-:
 
Jennifer
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.