Air Force won friday night by playing a second period that was their best consecutive 20 minutes of hockey all season. They seemed sparked by the (to those of us down in the air force families section) obviously bogus major and game misconduct handed to Eric Rice in the first period. Along with that came a bench minor, so Air force was looking at a full 2 minutes of 5 on 3 disadvantage plus three minutes more of 5 on 4 disadvantage. Holding army to one goal during that period and coming back to tie the game late in the first period seemed to park the falcons who exploded in the second period. The officiating by MacConaghy was absolutely terrible. He was inconsistent and seemed to be ignoring some infractions and calling others. My feelings were confirmed from several sources including HOCKEY-L member Major Richard Jenkins from Army. Saturday, Army turned it up a notch, and air force did not skate with the intensity they showed friday. Air Force stepped it up in the last 5 minutes to close within one goal, but it was a case of too little to late. Also, MacConaghy's officiating, which i felt was even more inconsistent than friday night did not help. The physical stuff like late hits, hitting after the whistle, the roughing, cross checking, hitting from behind, and the like either were no calls or coincidental minors, one apparently for hitting and the other for receiving. He called several holdings, typically the holding of an opponent's stick, but not headlocks and dehelmetings. I also believe there were at least 3 misconducts handed out, presumably for a player saying something like, "Sir, how could that possibly not be a penalty on my noble and worthy opponent?" Finally, I'd like to extend public thanks to Major Jenkins for taking the time friday afternoon to give my brother, my 12 year old son, and me a most interesting tour of the facilities at west point. charlie shub [log in to unmask] -or- cdash@colospgs (BITNET) or even (719) 593-3492