#1

Posted by uncatim, May 22, 2008 6:48 AM

Fight. Most hockey fans like a little fighting, some love a lot of fighting, few hate any fighting. People that don't like hockey won't like a sanitized version either. Only a lack of cash prevents me from buying a Brashear jersey.

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#2

Posted by Mike, May 22, 2008 7:33 AM

Fight! Fight! Fight! The same words uttered in the school playground can still (and should still) be heard at NHL Hockey arenas. Personally, I love a good fight, but I think the fight should be done only in the context of the game, such as to turn the momentum around, excite the crowd when your team is down, that sort of thing. Don't just fight to fight -- have it mean something as to why you are fighting.

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#3

Posted by Victor, May 22, 2008 9:34 AM

My comments fields were populated with some other info. The persons email had the word "group" in the domain. Something funky is definitely happening.

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#4

Posted by Gustafsson, May 22, 2008 9:54 AM

Thanks Victor,
It seems to happen on the most recent post with the last person who commented, but not consistently (I think). I have a question posted on the WordPress forum to help track down the problem.

Not sure what would have changed to cause this, unless it's something with the server.

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#5

Posted by OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki), May 22, 2008 10:18 AM

Let 'em fight, I say. I much prefer seeing two guys square off face-to-face than dirty stickwork or hits from behind. Letting off some steam in a clear, open way is preferable to the kind of dirty (and, mind you, more dangerous) play that tends to surface in fight-less hockey environs. Plus it's damned entertaining for the fans.

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#6

Posted by Art, May 22, 2008 10:34 AM

Fighting is of course illegal already. The question is whether the punishment is enough?

Fighting will never be eliminated in a sport you cannot run out of bounds and there is no where to hide. Occasionally emotions will boil over.

Sometimes the fighting can seem like a sideshow where designated combatants square off to test each other in a marginally important match for the benefit of teammates and fans. Of course is that any different than professional sports in general?

But there are times where fighting and the enforcer concept makes a lot of natural sense.

When a player goes outside of the bounds of the game there is often an immediate corrective measure taken. Not of another cheap shot but demanding a player be accountable for his actions through a fight. Whether this prevents transgressions is up for debate but the immediate "justice" often resets the game to an even standing without either team looking to escalate events further.

Additionally the mere presence of an enforcer is often enough to ensure the game is played on the up-and-up, allowing the skilled the room they need to be as remarkable as they are.

Is this the most enlightened thinking in the world. Well no, but it's my hockey and it's how I like it.

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#7

Posted by chanuck, May 22, 2008 10:50 AM

I think the hockey haters tend to but events like the Simon or McSoley incendents in the same context as two guys squareing off during the game. Unfortunatly the goon stuff gets more press than regular games. The Simon stuff gets first ten to fifteen minutes on ESPN, but the scores and highlights get the last. Now I am not advocating going back to the 70s style goon hockey, but sticking up for your teammates during the game is a good thing.

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#8

Posted by JR, May 22, 2008 11:26 AM

I like a good fight, but also recognize that fighting is really a minute portion of the game. Half the time guys are only fighting because one of them wants to 'give his team a boost', i.e. they are getting their asses kicked in the game. To me that's not as good as two guys throwing down because they hate each other.

One thing to point out about the way the NHL handles fighting is that every other sport lends itself towards brawling whereas hockey has legislated that out of the game. Can you imagine two baseball players, alone, going toe-to-toe? Or basketball players?

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#9

Posted by usiel, May 22, 2008 12:54 PM

Love the fighting and I believe the instigator penalty needs to be re-worked. It is mosdef part of the game as others have mentioned. I would think those 200 emails Ted receiving complaining don't sound like fans that have been watching hockey very long...

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#10

Posted by pepper, May 22, 2008 2:21 PM

To echo some sentiments already, I love a fight when two players hate each other and spontaneously explode in reaction to an event that just happened, either to one of those players or a teammate. That also includes two guys jawing away and one of them snapping.

But the fights between the "established" enforcers, which is often pre-destined, and done, as has been said, solely to change the momentum of a game, is tiresome and these days, with the regimented way in which these bouts unfold, almost crossing the line into the "cartoonish."

The skill with which a guy like Brashear bobs and weaves, while on skates, the combatants carefully and deliberately orbiting each other, waiting for an opening to strike, is impressive, but not the kind of thing that excites me as a fan.

When those new to hockey have watched the game in my presence, and witness a fight, its the spontaneous variety that has stirred the passions of the viewer, and the "pre-determined" fights that have led to a dismissive reaction to the game.

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#11

Posted by TG, May 22, 2008 2:36 PM

I enjoy watching hockey. I enjoy watching playoff hockey and Olympic (or other international tournament) hockey more. Part of the reason is no fighting, part of the reason is there isn't a spot reserved on the ice/bench for a "fighter"/"goon".

Even Gretzky fought (sort of), so I know you're never going to get away from it entirely. But I have to say that I like that the league is moving to a place where teams can't afford to have a player who only has the skill of fighting (see Peat, Stephen). A player who fights now has to have other skills as well and be able to play a normal shift (see Brashear, Donald).

Pepper, I'm with you. A spur of the moment thing that appears out of nowhere is fine with me. The ones where you see the players talking to each other before the puck is dropped and then as soon as it hits the ice they start hitting each other...a waste. Throw 'em both out. The game will be better without them.

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#12

Posted by Sammy, May 23, 2008 12:49 PM

All for it. Ultimately the point of shelling out bucks to watch the game is to be entertained. Fights are entertaining. Not to mention the ultimate deterrent to stickwork and cheapshots (retaliation will happen...one way or the other).

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#13

Posted by amy, May 24, 2008 6:55 AM

There ain't nothing like a good fight! Creates a little extra excitement; especially for women, I think. :) But someone near and dear to me always says, "Hockey isn't about fighting!". Oh please.... Bring it on! Brashear is my guy! If promoting it a little brings in some more fans, why not?!? I'm sure the male gender wouldn't mind seeing a few more babes at The Phone Booth...

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#14

Posted by mixtape downloads, May 24, 2008 4:27 PM

I am just like your wife I love a goodhockey fight in the game. I always root for the little guy

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#15

Posted by Arica, May 26, 2008 9:06 AM

Interesting piece. I understand both sides' pov, though I must confess to being a fight fan :-) Then again — I watch HBO boxing!

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