DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have become an ardent Bruins and hockey fan but I am a relative newbie. I can’t figure out what Pts, GF and GA stand for in the hockey standings printed in the Sun Journal. I would love an explanation for how those scores are arrived at as well. I know you have a direct line to the sports guys. Thank you. — Marilyn, Leeds.

ANSWER: When looking at the Pro Hockey statistics in the Sun Journal, you see a chart for each division with GP, W, L, OT, Pts, GF and GA at the top. Some of these may be more self-explanatory than others, but this is what they all mean:

• GP stands for games played;

• W stands for wins, L stands for losses;

• OT stands for overtime losses. During regular season play, a team that loses a game in overtime will nevertheless obtain one point in the NHL standings;

• Pts stands for team points. This is calculated by adding two points for every win and one point for every overtime loss;

• GF stands for the number of goals the team has scored; and

• GA stands for the number of goals scored against the team.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To M.J.B. of Lewiston, icebox cake is my daughter’s favorite thing to eat when she visits. So my family eats this many times a year.

I’m looking at the recipe that was posted in the 3/30 paper from food52.com. I add a palm of sugar and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup to it. I usually make a double batch in a 9×13 pan and layer it until I run out. I sometimes put a layer of chopped strawberries in the middle and on the top with chocolate syrup drizzled over the strawberries. Enjoy! — K.A.B, Auburn.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Have you ever smoked? We need to hear from you!

If you’re a current or former smoker, please consider being part of the Rural Maine Lung Health Study, led by Erika Ziller and Jean Talbot from the University of Southern Maine.

Researchers are doing this study to understand rural Mainers’ ideas and experiences about smoking, lung cancer risks, and health care providers. As part of the study, we will hold a group discussion at the American Legion Hall, 212 Main St. in Norway on Thursday, April 13, from 5 to 6:30 p.m and at the Rumford Municipal Building, 150 River St., on Tuesday, April 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Each group member will receive a $40 Hannaford Gift Card and a $10 Irving Gas Card. Pizza will be served.

You may qualify to take part if you are:

• A current or former smoker;

• Age 40 or older;

• A resident of Oxford County; or

• Someone who hasn’t had a medical checkup for three years or more.

If this sounds like you, please call us today at 207-228-8247 to see if you qualify. Ask for Zach.

Participation is voluntary, and you can decide which questions you want to answer. We will not try to get you to change what you think or how you live. We look forward to hearing from you! — Zachariah T. Croll, Research Analyst, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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