Hockey

Another football tragedy this week renews questions about the safety of the game that made many stars rich, but at some cost. Also, it may be closing time for one of the all-time greats. Over in hockey playoffs, are they going Hollywood? Host Scott Simon talks with Howard Bryant of ESPN.

Guest host David Greene talks with NPR sports correspondent Mike Pesca about his sports idea for the week, plus a little something out of left field.

Robert Siegel talks to sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the NHL playoffs.

Hockey teams wearing darker-colored jerseys are more likely to be penalized for aggressive fouls than teams wearing white jerseys, new research finds. And teams wearing black jerseys get penalized the most. It's not clear whether the jersey color increases player aggression or draws more visual attention by referees.

In the 1990's, a Panthers' player earned a place in pro hockey lore when he found a rat in the dressing room, and whacked it with his hockey stick. Fans are encouraged to litter the ice with plastic rats after a win. In a playoff game Saturday, a player from the opposing New Jersey Devils raced for the puck, and kicked a toy rat instead.

Early last year 31 people got sick after spending time at an indoor ice arena owned by a private school in New Hampshire. Poor ventilation of exhaust from a machine used to resurface the ice turned out to be a big problem.