>>Not to stereotype, but most of the people who get involved in Hockey-L
>seem
>>to have a statistical bent.  Penalty stats are important in
>understanding
>>the flow of the game.  I really don't understand why there is such a
>>reluctance.
>
>I really don't understand why people think listing penalties gives you a
>better understanding of the game.
 
 
>
>AW
 
How much of a hockey fan are you anyway?  How long have you been following
the game?  Penalties ARE part of the game, they give you an indication of
which team is more disciplined and is able to cope with adversity.  What
type of penalties are taken, when they are taken and by whom gives you an
indication of which team has the focus and which team does not.
 
The implication in your question (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that
penalties are a factor which interrupt the flow of a game but, unless there
is a power play goal, have no relevcance to the outcome itself.  If I am
correct in my assumption, then this is totally not the case!
 
Greg Ambrose
 
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