As a prelude to Saturday's game between Michigan and Lake Superior, the
players gathered at center ice for pushing, shoving, and trash talking as
they were skating to loosen up prior to the introductions.  It looked like
the referee was calling penalties and ordering a couple of the players to
the penalty boxes, but in fact no penalties were called.  It occurred to me,
though, that I don't know whether the referee can call penalties *before*
the opening face-off.  Can he?
 
 
Paul Grochowski
Univ o' Michigan
GO BLUE