I haven't seen this posted, but the other day there was another discussion of the impact of the facemask and other safety equipment used today on the rash of serious injuries in hockey. The discussion was included as the feature article of the college hockey preview issue in the Boston Globe. There were quotes from Jack Parker, Ben Smith, Bill Cleary, Toot Cahoon, Mike Eruzione & Dave Silk, among others and the general consensus was that the increase in the "suit of armor" (Eruzione said the players looked like they were ready for jousting) has increased the amount of serious injuries in the game because of the fearlessness of the players. "No more finesse", Dave Silk described it. I realize there are many out there who don't even remember the college game without a face shield. Beyond the aesthetics of it (you can no longer see what the players look like), IMO there is too much highsticking, leaving your feet to finish (start?) a check because the players know that there is no immediate physical consequence for their actions. I know that this subject has been debated among fans in the stands for several years but, in light of the Roy injury, I think that this is a wonderful forum to open up the discussion again. Any thoughts? Greg Ambrose, Go UNH Blue!! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.