>>>>> "Mike" == Mike Machnik <[log in to unmask]> writes: Mike> [...] Mike> It seems to me that most referees are predisposed towards being Mike> lenient on the DQs - you've really got to earn it. I'd rather Mike> have it be this way unless fighting becomes a major problem. I completely agree and I don't think the new rule change will change the way DQs are assessed. When I referee a game and a player throws a weak punch, which is technically a fighting penalty, I'll hand out a minor or double-minor for roughing. Of course if he drops his gloves and comes up swinging, that is a different situation. Mike> However, we do need to draw a distinction between fighting or Mike> goon hockey, and good old-fashioned physical play ("Toe Mike> Blake...Eddie Shore") along with intimidation. The latter does Mike> indeed have a place in the game by the very nature of it. If Mike> you don't believe me, watch any game. As I said previously, I'm all for physical play. A good hard check will still get the fans involved and intimidate opponents. I just don't like to have the game delayed while two players duke it out on the ice. I do enjoy watching a player deliver a great hip check -- which is extremely difficult to accomplish -- that leaves the other sprawled out on the ice. I realize that tough automatic sanctions may result in the officials calling less fighting penalties and more double-minors. One of the leagues I ref automatically suspends a player for 2 games for his first and 1 year for his second game misconduct in a 12-month period. Until this year, we were *required* to hand out a game misconduct with *every* major penalty. The result was less majors called. I think that the new WCHA rules, however, will cut down on the brawls on ice which will still be called as fighting majors. I believe that this a good-thing(tm). I don't think it will drastically change the face of hockey. Pete Kester [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.