The NHL has instituted the rule where goalies are unable to play the puck outside of the trapezoid behind the goal line.

Many people are upset about this because they want to see excitement in the game. A way to get even more excitement is to get rid of the trapezoid and institute a rule allowing players to check the goalie if he goes behind the goal line.

The checks would still have to be legal, but it would make goalies think twice before handling the puck, and every fan would go crazy when the opposing goalie gets knocked to the ice with a beautiful bodycheck.

Alan Bass, Cherry Hill, N.J.