Far be it for me to promote violence. In fact, it's a well known fact that I'm a lover, not a fighter. Actually...truth be known...I'm neither most of the time.
I do believe however that there is still a place for fighting in hockey and a lot of the bad things that have happened in the NHL in recent years would have been avoided had the rules on fighting not changed from the past. Even the players agree that fighting has its place in the game and by reverting back to the old rules, the marquee players would be looked after much better and the high number of dangerous stick infractions and plays on the ice would drop once again.
There is less respect for the opposition in today's game. In the past, the actions of an offending player would be dealt with swiftly on the ice rather than the league having to step in and hand out suspensions and fines. Coaches and players didn't have to whine to the league to dish out the punishment...the players took care of it right away and it was done with. Players knew that if they messed with the wrong guy or did something stupid, they'd pay.
I might also add that very seldom are players seriously hurt in a hockey fight. The same can't be said when a player is checked from behind, boarded or takes a stick to the face.
The NHL wants to appeal to Americans and grow the game south of our border and I don't have a problem with that. I've been to hockey games in the U.S. and the fans sit on their hands most of time. The cheers erupt to a deafening level though when the gloves come off. I don't recall anyone leaving a hockey game because it was too violent. Well, maybe the Soviets did back in the 70's...but they don't count.
Here is a recent tilt of current NHL heavyweights Georges Laraque and Donald Brashear from Saturday night.
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