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From: mcal@ihuxb.UUCP (Mike Clifford)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Edmonton "No Class" Oilers
Message-ID: <1016@ihuxb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-May-85 12:25:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxb.1016
Posted: Fri May 10 12:25:46 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 11-May-85 03:07:51 EDT
References: <5201@ucla-cs.ARPA> <480@alberta.UUCP> <6870@ucbvax.ARPA>
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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  W.Citrin says:                                  ...I admit that in the
> NHL, there's more to worry about than hurting your opponent's feelings, 
> but there are practical considerations:  in a runaway game, there's
> a greater likelihood of fights, and a greater likelihood of serious
> injuries, as the losing team decides that playing to win is pointless and
> decides to vent its frustration on the opposition.  Also, the winning team 
> has to realize that the opponent may come back and humiliate it another
> day.
> 
> Wayne Citrin
> (ucbvax!citrin)

I disagree with your assertion that there is a greater likelihood of serious    injuries because of a team venting its frustration upon the side that is 
winning by a lopsided score and continuing to widen their lead instead of
letting up and holding the puck.  I think the serious injuries occur more
often when a player is not going all out and that the mental letdown that
occurs can lead to less concentration and a higher vunerability to injury.

Mike Clifford
AT&T IS