In response to Rich's second post, Yes I believe that in ALL levels of Hockey
too much hooking and holding is allowed by officials.  I believe it would be a
much more exciting game if those types of game slowing penalties were called
more.  However, as a few others have observed (AND I COMPLETELY agree with),
if those penalties were called more, you would probably see MANY more extra
penatlies called on RPI than on their opponents, based on their sytle of
defensive play.  Players like Al Kummu and Brad Layzell would be make line
changes from the penalty box.                      oops add -ing ^^^^
 
I believe that the penalties this year have been MUCH better this year, and
the Officials along with the new 2-1 system should be commended for that.  On
the other side of the coin the icings and offsides have been horrific.  This
can be partially attributed to the fact that Officials who had not called lines
in years now had to.  However, this effect has not worn off as quickly as it
should have.  Also, they make themselves look awful at least 3 times a game
by having one ref wave off a call while the other blows it dead.  By this
point in the season they should know whose line is whose, IMO.
 
-Ryan Stone
 Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) '93
 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute '93
 
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                  | RYAN G. STONE                    |
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