During my foray into roller hockey I acquired at least two puck-shaped bruises on my shins, despite my protective gear. So when I winced as I read the N.Y. Times article about NHL players blocking shots, it was from a small amount of actual experience. It’s become commonplace for all players, not just goalies, to hurl themselves in front of shots in a tactic “built on bravery and strategy, calculated risk and not a small slice of insanity.” Compare the full head mask, leg pads, chest protectors, and wide gloves worn by the goalies to the protective gear of the other players if you want to fully consider the dangers of this trend. Martin Strata, a Rangers forward (for you non-hockey folks that means he’s supposed to be making shots, not blocking them), broke his finger throwing himself in front of the puck in October and was out for a month. No one ever said hockey was a game for whimps.