All right! A discussion I can really get into!
Well, here's my $0.02 worth...
 
Two seasons ago, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks were hosting
the University of Wisconsin Superior. During the game, the Nooks' Kevin Nohr
and a Superior player (the school, not his hockey ability ;-) ) were circling
near the blue line when they collided. Nohr brought his arms up in reflex to
protect himself and the other player got the worst of the situation. He went
down on the ice, falling on his facemask and causing him to start bleeding
pretty bad. Nohr was unfairly assessed IMHO at first a minor for cross checking
then a major for cross checking and a game DQ. Nohr was forced to miss the
first game of a two-game series at Michigan Tech.
 
The point is, the mask the player from Superior was wearing caused the injury,
not Nohr's actions. When I interviewed Nooks' head coach Don Lucia a few days
after the game, he claimed that facemasks actually _cause_ more injuries than
they prevent, mainly because players beleive they can play with their sticks
high and nobody would get hurt. Well, doesn't seem that way, does it?
 
I agree with Lucia. NCAA should shift to hafl-Techs, with full masks being
optional. Most college hockey players played in the junior leagues before
attending college, so transition shouldn't be too difficult. The adjustment
of the officials would be the hard part. Then again, all officials are blind
and dumb anyway. >;-)
 
Well, thought I'd join in.
 
Chris Barrett
-Still bummed about the North Stars
-Go Nooks in 91-92! (Subject to change)