As I was doing my daily internet surfing, I came across this article on dead spin
http://deadspin.com/how-a-hockey-fi...ource=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
The article is about a fight between Kevin Westgarth and Luke Gazdic in the Flames-Oilers game that ended with one guy literally down for the count. But really that is not what caught my attention. What caught my eye was the number of people in the comments both on deadspin and facebook that seem to seriously believe fighting in hockey is absolutely necessary to the actual sport. They contend that it is an integral part of the strategy and a way to prevent other issues from escalating. I was floored.
I can't believe how many people seriously defend the practice of fighting in NHL hockey games as a necessary part of the sport and at the same time accuse those who dislike the distraction as novices of the sport. I'm pretty sure it is only in the NHL and their feeder leagues where fights like this are common. You do not see these type of distraction in youth, high school, collegiate games. And you definitely don't see this type of unnecessary violence in Olympic hockey games or even European professional hockey leagues. The rare instances of fighting in these leagues is dealt with severely and immediately. I'd like to see some one point out where the game itself suffers from the lack of fights on the ice. This is not a rhetorical statement. I want someone who actually believes that fighting is a necessary part of the sport point out to me where an NHL game differs from an Olympic or professional European league game in any meaningful way because the NHL tolerates fighting on the ice.
Some argue that allowing fights brings in more viewers and younger audiences that may not otherwise be interested in the sport. That might be true. They definitely rile up the crowd. There are giant cheers that erupt during the fights. Chants and en-mass count-offs of punches thrown have the feeling of being at the Roman Coliseum. But then it is those that put forward this argument who may not know the actual sport of hockey as well as they think they might.
Others argue that this is the only way to prevent "bullying" and cheep shots on the ice. It is a way to teach the other guy the lesson that checking "our guy" into the boards is not acceptable. This also rings hollow. That is why you have referees. Even the most insignificant game is recorded too, and video review after the game can quickly allow the league to issue sanctions and effectively end much of the practice. As mentioned above, every other league in the world (except NHL feeder leagues) have dealt with this successfully.
NHL hockey teams have players known as enforcers. These guys are on the team for one reason: to play dirty and start fights. The enforcers should be off the ice. Cheap shots should be reported and reviewed by league officials the same way they are dealt with in other sports. ...and as severely. NFL, NBA and to a degree MLB have all dealt with fighting on the field of play to the point it is a rarity, not a twice-a-game affair as it seems to be in North American professional Hockey.
Fights like the one in the video within the link have absolutely nothing to do with the game. They add nothing to the sport. They do not enhance the experience of sportsmanship and a well-played game. There should be no place for this type of scene on the ice unless we want to start a new UFC on Ice tour.
But then again, I am just a fan of the sport. What do I know?
http://deadspin.com/how-a-hockey-fi...ource=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
The article is about a fight between Kevin Westgarth and Luke Gazdic in the Flames-Oilers game that ended with one guy literally down for the count. But really that is not what caught my attention. What caught my eye was the number of people in the comments both on deadspin and facebook that seem to seriously believe fighting in hockey is absolutely necessary to the actual sport. They contend that it is an integral part of the strategy and a way to prevent other issues from escalating. I was floored.
I can't believe how many people seriously defend the practice of fighting in NHL hockey games as a necessary part of the sport and at the same time accuse those who dislike the distraction as novices of the sport. I'm pretty sure it is only in the NHL and their feeder leagues where fights like this are common. You do not see these type of distraction in youth, high school, collegiate games. And you definitely don't see this type of unnecessary violence in Olympic hockey games or even European professional hockey leagues. The rare instances of fighting in these leagues is dealt with severely and immediately. I'd like to see some one point out where the game itself suffers from the lack of fights on the ice. This is not a rhetorical statement. I want someone who actually believes that fighting is a necessary part of the sport point out to me where an NHL game differs from an Olympic or professional European league game in any meaningful way because the NHL tolerates fighting on the ice.
Some argue that allowing fights brings in more viewers and younger audiences that may not otherwise be interested in the sport. That might be true. They definitely rile up the crowd. There are giant cheers that erupt during the fights. Chants and en-mass count-offs of punches thrown have the feeling of being at the Roman Coliseum. But then it is those that put forward this argument who may not know the actual sport of hockey as well as they think they might.
Others argue that this is the only way to prevent "bullying" and cheep shots on the ice. It is a way to teach the other guy the lesson that checking "our guy" into the boards is not acceptable. This also rings hollow. That is why you have referees. Even the most insignificant game is recorded too, and video review after the game can quickly allow the league to issue sanctions and effectively end much of the practice. As mentioned above, every other league in the world (except NHL feeder leagues) have dealt with this successfully.
NHL hockey teams have players known as enforcers. These guys are on the team for one reason: to play dirty and start fights. The enforcers should be off the ice. Cheap shots should be reported and reviewed by league officials the same way they are dealt with in other sports. ...and as severely. NFL, NBA and to a degree MLB have all dealt with fighting on the field of play to the point it is a rarity, not a twice-a-game affair as it seems to be in North American professional Hockey.
Fights like the one in the video within the link have absolutely nothing to do with the game. They add nothing to the sport. They do not enhance the experience of sportsmanship and a well-played game. There should be no place for this type of scene on the ice unless we want to start a new UFC on Ice tour.
But then again, I am just a fan of the sport. What do I know?