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Reader question: Please explain “power play” in this passage: U.S. politicians claim that China doesn’t keep its promises on trade, nuclear proliferation and human rights; China says the U.S. is using power plays to prevent it from developing into a rival superpower. My comments: Power play is a term in the game of ice hockey describing the situation where one team has one or more players on court than the opposition. More players on court than the opposition? That does not sound fair, does it? Well, that’s the thing and let me explain. If you watch any NHL (National Hockey League, grouping pro teams from America and Canada) games on TV, you’ll understand that the game of ice hockey is one of the most brutal and violent games on earth. I mean it in a good sporting way, of course, but still it’s a tough man’s game. When players get into full swing with their skates and sticks, body contact is inevitable and, quite frankly, brutal. And when players foul, they foul hard. Hence, accordingly, punishment for fouls can be equally harsh. And one of these unique punishments unseen in other sports is the penalty that leads to the situation of our discussion, the situation of power play. When a player is deemed to commit a blatant foul, he is temporarily ejected from the game, for two minutes, to be exact. Hence, during these next two minutes, his team will be playing with one player fewer than the opposition, who will now try to make full use of this numerical advantage known as power play. | 
