11.   The first period had four goals, a major fight and a controversial non-call.

12.   The first period had an edge of savagery, with three violent fist fights, one of them resulting in a serious injury.

13.   The heart muscle itself could pump faster, but the rest period between beats has to be long enough for the chamber to refill.

14.   The first period had an interesting and uneven rhythm to it.

15.   The periods have different time spans, some extending into adolescence, others tapering gradually.

16.   The period had a free-wheeling tempo.

17.   The scoreless second period had several interesting developments.

18.   The second period had no scoring and play was much tighter.

19.   The second period had to be nearly as frustrating.

20.   The similar unproductive periods this season have a common thread running through them.