All right! A discussion I can really get into! Well, here's my $0.02 worth... Two seasons ago, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks were hosting the University of Wisconsin Superior. During the game, the Nooks' Kevin Nohr and a Superior player (the school, not his hockey ability ;-) ) were circling near the blue line when they collided. Nohr brought his arms up in reflex to protect himself and the other player got the worst of the situation. He went down on the ice, falling on his facemask and causing him to start bleeding pretty bad. Nohr was unfairly assessed IMHO at first a minor for cross checking then a major for cross checking and a game DQ. Nohr was forced to miss the first game of a two-game series at Michigan Tech. The point is, the mask the player from Superior was wearing caused the injury, not Nohr's actions. When I interviewed Nooks' head coach Don Lucia a few days after the game, he claimed that facemasks actually _cause_ more injuries than they prevent, mainly because players beleive they can play with their sticks high and nobody would get hurt. Well, doesn't seem that way, does it? I agree with Lucia. NCAA should shift to hafl-Techs, with full masks being optional. Most college hockey players played in the junior leagues before attending college, so transition shouldn't be too difficult. The adjustment of the officials would be the hard part. Then again, all officials are blind and dumb anyway. >;-) Well, thought I'd join in. Chris Barrett -Still bummed about the North Stars -Go Nooks in 91-92! (Subject to change)