Always used to get pissed off when people talked about banning fighting. And while I admit it is very entertaining, the older I get the less it makes sense to me. I mean I understand why the players want to fight, I am just starting to wonder why we LET them fight. Seems so contrary to societies approach to sports these days.
Before someone throws the boxing and MMA angle at me remember that those sports are sanctioned "prize fights" with extensive monitoring by government agencies. They aren't school-yard brawls on ice.
With that said.. I was still out of my seat when Orr and Laraque went at it.
IMHO, I don't beleive the majority of the "anti-fighting" contingent has ever questioned the fact that hockey fights are entertaining.
I think the main issue in today's day and age is more of a player safety issue - the same as the face-shield/mask argument.
I love hockey fights as much as the next guy, but if the owners want to protect the investments they are making (and multi-million dollar player contracts ARE investments), I certainly won't begrudge them for removing one of the most dangerous aspects of the game, that if anything, is probably the easiest one to get rid of.
Fighting should only be allowed if it earns a team a standings point, goal. etc. (quantifiable advantage). You can't punch someone in the face in public without being cuffed, so it makes no sense why they allow this **** on the ice. Tradition? Weak justification. Most goons have no hockey skills, thus taking the place of an actual athlete. Ditto the earlier MMA/boxing remark. Fighting hurts hockey's credibility; makes it a punchline with everyday sports fans. If the Olympics (along with various leagues) sees it fit to ban fighting, why can't the NHL?
While I agree that fight was pointless, fighting, in general, is a part of the game.
When Cam Janssen hit Tomas Kaberle and injured him, nobody on that Leafs roster came in to "show Janssen the business." You need these "goons" who stand up for their teammates to show the opposition that they will not get away with cheap shots to your star players.
BTW, the Moen and Rosehill fight was much more entertaining to watch anyway.
The issue I have with getting rid of it is the escalation level.
If you go and fight a guy after a cheap shot, it settles things right there. People are less likely to be trying to "get them back" if you have two representatives duke it out.
I agree though that goons are somewhat useless. I mean, you should be playing hockey to play hockey, and then when a fight is necessary, have an actual hockey player settle the score than just a brute.
Fighting should only be allowed if it earns a team a standings point, goal. etc. (quantifiable advantage). You can't punch someone in the face in public without being cuffed, so it makes no sense why they allow this **** on the ice. Tradition? Weak justification. Most goons have no hockey skills, thus taking the place of an actual athlete. Ditto the earlier MMA/boxing remark. Fighting hurts hockey's credibility; makes it a punchline with everyday sports fans. If the Olympics (along with various leagues) sees it fit to ban fighting, why can't the NHL?
Not at all surprised what fights bring to hockey is lost on the likes of you.
Pumps up the team, has been around forever, etc, etc., etc. Btw, Belak was drated 12th overall, for his hockey skills, he developed into a fighter. soooo, there goes yet another pathetically weak argument.
Whole arena's cheering...tells me all I need to know, then you add in the on ice stuff. Thanks.
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"If checking were allowed in golf, I'd have all the green jackets!" -John Daly
They're standing and cheering because the fight is entertaining.
I applaud the profoundness of your reasoning. And therein lies the futility of trying to argue against such reasoning. Let's stand up and have a new battle cry... Let people have exactly everything they want!
I applaud the profoundness of your reasoning. And therein lies the futility of trying to argue against such reasoning. Let's stand up and have a new battle cry... Let people have exactly everything they want!
If they're going to pay exorbitant amounts of money for it, why not? If you want to destroy the NHL in the United States, take fighting out.
