OK.  I've read all the posts.  Both sides have arguments, and while you
might "buy" one side more than the other, neither is totally without merit.
 
It seems to me several things can be addressed at the same time:
 
1.  Better equipment.  Surely in this high-tech age a helmet can be devised
that manages to protect the face and head without undue interference of
sight lines.  BTW, someone else thought this up, but I forget who at this
point.
 
2.  Better coaching to teach young players the head is verbotten even if a
whole head protection is worn.
 
3.  Penalties for a stick to the face with or without injury or blood
strictly enforced by the refs.  Maybe even 5's for what seems to be
deliberate stick work.
 
4.  But in my mind, the single best thing college hockey could do is enforce
a rule on the books but virtually never used:  2 min minor for INSTIGATION.
Instead, its always matching when players rough it up.  What if every time
you started it, you got the extra 2 minutes?  Yes, I know this is sort of
off point - it really doesn't have anything to do with full vs. partial
shields, but if you are really serious about getting rid of cheap play
(which would likely reduce the level of injuries), then make players pay in
the box for playing cheaply.
 
Well, just another set of opinions for the grist mill.
 
 
Tom Rowe                                          [log in to unmask]
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