Arnold Slick says:
 
that the ACHA is much rougher than NC$$ Div. I.
 
This may very well be true.  I have noticed that as speed and skills
drop it is easier to check.  I think that there is more checking in Div.
1 than the NHL.  Another factor in the NHL unrelated to skill in that
if you check certain players you must be willing to fight.  (Note to
NHL fans:  do not confuse interference, fighting and stick work with
checking)
 
Back to the original point, fast shifty players who move constantly
and skate to open ice are difficult to check.  Of course players who
like to check and who are fast and shifty can dish out checks but
moving targets that prefer to stay away from the boards are
difficult.
 
 
Steven Rockey
Mathematics Librarian
115 White Hall
Cornell University