Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Part of the Game, or a Black-eye for the Sport?


Since I was 7 I have played organized hockey, and ever since I started playing I have always been aware of the fights that occur at various levels of hockey. While the penalty for fighting in youth hockey is great, suspension, it still happens. In juniors and the leagues under the NHL (except college) fighting is very much alive and is used as a way to protect players as well as pumping up teammates and settling a score.

In the NHL, fighting is used in the same way. Fighting in the NHL is either considered an awesome part of the game, or people hate it. Some people have said that the reason hockey will never become as popular as the big three sports in the US, (football, basketball and baseball) is because of the fighting. While I find some truth in this statement, I find that removing fighting would have greater implications as it would affect the integrity of the game.

I believe that if players are not able to fight the incidents of cheap shots will increase as there would be no risk of having to answer for your actions during the game. In college hockey, players are not allowed to fight, which causes a player who otherwise would be more reserved to act like an idiot. They know that if the ref doesn’t see what he does then there will be little the other team can do to get back at him.

Hockey is unlike any other mainstream sport in the world and I think that fighting should remain. If people cannot look past the fighting to see the level of skill the guys in the NHL have today, then they should probably not watch hockey. It is unique to the sport and I feel it should be looked at as part of the game, not a black-eye for the sport. What do you guys think about fighting in hockey? The following article outlines some arguments for fighting in hockey and offers counter arguments as well.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=2724254

14 comments:

  1. As Rome disintegrated, violence in sporting events became almost mandatory to satisfy public blood thirst. Sports like mixed-martial arts represent the degradation of our civilization as sports as violent as boxing no longer are violent enough to satisfy an overstimulated society. Fighting in hockey is really no different. Why can't the team retaliate by issuing a hard, clean check?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fighting is an integral part of hockey. Without it there would be no proper form of concequenses for ones actions. Hockey is a dangerous sport where one can intentionally and legally seriously hurt another. If ones actions are to go unaccounted for there would be a large increase in cheap shot injurys especially on the leagues best players as they are targets. If one is not responsible for their actions one will take full advantage of this and try to take out the other teams best players.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't believe fighting should be removed from hockey but I disagree with that there would be no consequences for players if fighting is taken away. If a player gives cheap shots then the league can take harsher penalties and fines. And if a player is known as a cheap shot, then other players will cheap shot him. If a player cheap shots a star player then most teams go after him by checking not necessarily by fighting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. People love hockey fights for the same reason they love NASCAR crashes, it makes it more interesting, exciting, and entertaining. That's why fighting in hockey and crashing in NASCAR are actually encouraged by broadcast companies today; to get and keep more viewers. Although this isn't exactly an environmental policy issue, such a policy that would decrease the excitement of the sport would not lead to better success.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sports can be a good analogy to society and the way people interact. With hockey, maybe this represents some situations about rules and norms in our country. Many people in the U.S. seem to feel the need to be in war and value the importance of fighting for what they believe in. In hockey, many players and fans think that fighting is an important aspect of the sport. However there are some underlying norms in both these situations, in that an excessive amount is undesirable. Like christopher said above, if one player takes it too far the others may gang up on him. Even though I have never played on a hockey team, I think most sports teams have a norm requiring a certain amount of dignity and respect. Although I myself and committed to nonviolence, I can see why some people think it is necessary on and off the rink.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fighting in hockey can be considered a self-regulating process that keeps players aware of the respect for their opponents. There is an unwritten rule book followed by pro hockey players and if those rules are broken, it will typically result in a fight. A good example would be goalies or star players. Pro hockey players are sensitive about protecting their MVP's, and if an opponent crosses the line, it typically results in a fight. By allowing fighting in the NHL, players develop a mutual respect for their opponents that self regulates whether or not an individual will cross that line again. Coincidentally, it is extremely entertaining. Keep it in the game.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brad I would suggest watching a mixed martial arts fight before you make such ignorant comments. Sure the use of elbows in certain organizations create more opportunities for cuts and blood via cuts, but mma is far less brutal than boxing. Wrestling and submission grappling are sports that don't even allow strikes in their competitions. Compare that to boxing (a sport I also like) where you punch your opponent until someone falls down or football where concussions run rampant. MMA has far less serious injuries than either sports. As far as hockey goes fighting should not be allowed period. It is not part of the original sport and the players can injure themselves easily. The first thing a league of any sort should take into account is player safety, to allow fighting to go on without sever suspensions or fines is only going to increase the chance that a player gets severely injured.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think that fighting is a great part of hockey. It is exciting to watch and usually nothing but a couple bruises comes from it. Also it is an option for the players. If they don't want to fight they can go to the ground and the refs will break it up. In addition to the entertainment, it has always been a part of the sport. If you take fighting away from hockey its like taking away trash talking in any other sport.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think that is what comes with hockey. That is what makes going to hockey games so fun, the anticipation of a good fight, at least for me. I am sure that everyone who plays the sport loves the adrenaline rush that comes with it as well. Whenever there is a fight you can also tell the crowd is into it because they always explode. I think it is good for hockey, from a spectators point of view.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I agree with most of what has been said. Fighting is an integral part of hockey. If you take it away, you are taking away a large part of the game. Playing any sport demands hard work and respect, hockey especially. Players fight to others to show that they are not to be messed with. Some players fight to avenge wrongs to their teammates. Overall, it's about respect, and it helps to keep fans in the game.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Andrew, You missed the point of my statement all together. MMA is more violent because the possible ways to strike your opponent are greater. Do you really consider a sport where you can knee someone in the face a safer alternative to punching them with a padded glove. Your argument about MMA being safer is unfounded, without merit and I hereby condemn you to wallow in sewers of culture. Unless of course you can realize that violent sport is truly degradation of culture.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think fighting in hockey is not necessarily ideal, but it's part of the game. They do wear alot of protection, so why not? As long as the players are aware of the risks they are partaking in by being in the game, then let the fighting live.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Though I enjoy watching a hockey fight, i feel it is an antiquated, ridiculous part of the sport. Just watch a playoff game, players don't fight because they know that it's stupid and they can't afford the penalty minutes. These games are beautiful to watch. There is no reason to effectively sanction fighting during the regular season by allowing it o continue.

    ReplyDelete
  14. my only concern is that the TV programs don't show replays of the fights because some disapprove. I get up to grab a beverage, and I miss the most exciting part of the game.

    On a more serious note, these men who are out there fighting aren't simply doing it for fun. Each team has a designated 'enforcer'. It is his job to protect his teammates by having their backs. Occasionally other members of the team will fight, but that is rare. Also, most of these enforcers have wives and children... take ian laperriere or clark gillies for example... these men aren't on a macho trip, they simply have a certain job with certain responsibilities.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.