Caged Culture Going Away??

One of the biggest things you see that unique to the college hockey game isn't always the marching bands, but the fact they have full-facial protection for their players, whether it be a full visor or cage. However, with a possible rule change, that may all come to an end.

Every two years, the NCAA rules committee looks at the game and see how they can tinker here and there. Not only are they looking at overtime, but they're also looking at the face of the players. There has been a movement for players to go from a full-face protection to the "aviator" three-quarter shield. In a world where the idea of eye injuries are being batted back and forth in the professional level, it makes you wonder if the NCAA is making this move to help their players progress or regression in the face of safety.

Granted, the aviator design will be a little more protective than the regular visor, it still is much less protective than the full covering they had. Though, outside of midget hockey, NCAA is only league that requires a full-face protection for their players over the age of 18. Even the USHL and NAHL, both junior programs that USA Hockey governs, have the ability for players over 18 to ditch the full protection....I think, their rules aren't up on their website, but I would assume it's the same rulebook as the USA Hockey. Even with the Canadian Hockey League allowing players, even under the age of 18, to play with just a half-visor, it maybe makes NCAA archaic in a way.

It makes you wonder if this is a way to help the players who committed to a college stay there because it would draw closer to the NHL experience in terms of not having to deal with the full-face protection, though I'm sure it's a little more about evolution. Which is a bit odd considering that there's such a huge outcry when it comes to the NHL for more facial protection to be introduced, including the on-again, off-again debate of mandatory visors.

More over, I wonder what this does (if anything) to insurance costs should this thing get passed. While it could raise the premiums of certain aspects of the player's insurance, would it be too much for universities to shoulder the load, especially those one a stretched budget as it is?? More over, will there be a big uproar if these creates more mouth/jaw injuries??

All in all, it's a good step in advancing themselves, drawing even with their Canadian counterparts when it comes to recruits. It will make the experience close to the NHL side and not make players stand-out too much. Plus, it won't make USA junior-tier players feel like they're being reverted back to a much younger time for them. Not only all of that, but it would also give the NCAA a more professional feel to the game, even though they are amateurs.

It's Gotta Be The Stick

This just in, Alex Ovechkin in back. In his last five games, Ovechkin has six goals, 14 points, and he ate the bowl (apologies to Sid Seixeiro). In his eight games since his return to the line-up, the reign MVP has 17 points and many wonder what could be the reason.

Some believe it's the fact he took a hiatus to clear his hear back in Russia and deal with family issues that he had lingering over him. And while that could be the case, the answer could be as simple as Ovie switching stick manufacturers from the CCM U+ line to the Nike/Bauer Supreme line. It may not seem like a big deal, but for players; changing sticks could be one of the hardest transitions made by someone, especially for a player like Ovechkin. It could be the slightest change that could make or break how one plays, shoots, passes, etc.

It's unknown why Ovechkin made the switch, but there are some theories out there that could be valid. Ovechkin could be fed up with CCM sticks breaking on him. That seems to be a common problem for CCM, as Vincent Lecavalier recently switched from CCM to Warrior sticks. However, the contract for equipment and sticks could be different, as was the case with Sidney Crosby when he entered the league, with a sponsorship by RBK for equipment and Sherwood with sticks.

Another theory is that Ovie's CCM contract is running out and could be signing with Bauer when that happens. With Nike dropping out and Bauer staying around, it may be in their best interest to have some of the top young guns to roll out the brand. Bauer already has Evgeni Malkin and Steve Stamkos under the company banner.

Whatever it is, it has seemed to get Ovechkin out of his early season slump and giving Caps fans (as well as fantasy owners) something to really cheer about when it comes to Ovechkin. As if they didn't have enough to cheer about with him being out on the ice already.