NHL Photography: It’s Goon-Tastic!

As a longtime hockey fan, I wanted to commend The Times for running not one, but two superb hockey action photos in the Jan. 13 edition. Genaro Molina’s cover shot brought to mind the best of Degas’ ballet studies. The Kings’ Zmolek, helmet gone, eyes ablaze, hair astorm and right fist drawn fully back behind his ear, is just about to unleash his awful fury against the Mighty Ducks’ Stevenson, who is off-balance and bent forward, grimacing, eyes shut, his left arm locked against his opponent in a futile effort to evade the impending blow.

The Page 6 Associated Press photo of the Devils’ Scott Daniels and the Bruins’ Ken Baumgartner is as graceful as any of Degas’ works. There is such a balance and symmetry to it that, were it not for the motion of Baumgartner’s right fist toward Daniels’ face, one might well have assumed that these two warriors were performing at an ice dancing competition.

The Times is at the vanguard of a new era in sports photography. Persevere. Please--no more photos simply showing hockey players playing hockey.

BOB WARNER

Altadena

*

I’m not anti-fighting, but give hockey some credit for being an actual sport. If you want to attract readers with that type of thing, then run pictures from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

TONY ROSSI

Manhattan Beach