Huge college hockey fan. The one play that bothers me when watching recent college hockey games is when one player skates from the other side of the ice and plasters an opposing player who usually has just relinquished the puck (not a late hit). I saw 4 teeth rattling hits like this at last night's PC/Yale game (otherwise a great college hockey game)...one such hit resulting in a 5 minute major 'boarding' penalty. We were lucky the Yale player was able to get up after that hit as he crashed head first into the side boards. I feel we can avoid these dangerous plays by having the referees call more 'charging' penalties. I thought if a player took more than 3 strides before hitting an opposing player it is considered 'charging' and a penalty is called. Has that rule changed? If not, there should have been 3 clear cut 'charging' penalties called that were allowed in last nights game. I've been seeing a minimum of 3 per game this season where there has been 'charging' but no penalty called. Given the size and speed in the game today the rules committee and referees need to take a closer look at this to protect the players (the face mask contributes to this activity as players are fearless in delivering fast and hard body checks in today's college game).
Curious what others think....
Curious what others think....
