The Wild Thing

After a few contemplative puffs, Iafrate judged his own performance harshly. "I didn't play well," he said. "I tried to do too much." With his free hand he daubed cautiously at a fresh cut over his left eye. In the third period Iafrate had collided with Chicago's Steve Smith, whose stick blade sliced his face. Referee Kerry Fraser ruled the cut accidental and made no call. Between slow-motion replays of the incident, television cameras zoomed in on Iafrate's wound.

At the news that he had gotten some airtime, Iafrate brightened. "Hey," he said, "at least I got noticed."