[KissBlade]

You're missing the point if you think you're prolonging the game only because of death 3's impact.

Consider this a) If your opponent take's death 3, and you don't, he has two options in his disposal. 1) Not dominion push and take advantage of your lack of death scales by using your provinces as a what qm refers to a "retirement home" for his old mages.
2) Dominion push and make YOU lose population too. (Keep in mind he has a 120 point advantage over you. 240 if it's death 3 vs growth 3)

b) You should always be jockeying for advantage in gems at that point of the game, not income. With a usual jump start in provinces from extra points, it is actually YOUR job to bring the fight to them more often than not. Not the other way around.

c) Your anecdote is really amusing though. =)