Another Torts Soundbite

Hockey is the greatest game in the world and the fast, hard-hitting action on the ice is always entertaining. But sometimes, every so often, the coaches can provide some off-ice entertainment as well.

There have been plenty of tirades under the bleachers over the years and some are more engaging than others. But it doesn't always have to be yelling and screaming that captivates us. Sometimes it can be a quiet conversation between a coach and a reporter with a bit of a history that can be an embarrassment to the two head-butters and the league, while the fans sit back and take it all in while grinning from ear to ear.

The latest was just the other night when John Tortorella, Head Coach of the New York Rangers, shared his opinion about fighting with reporter Larry Brooks. These two have a bit of history going back to when Torts was coaching Tampa Bay and didn't like a question Brooks asked then. Here's what was caught by the live Hockey Night in Canada Cameras at that time. Be warned...this does contain some foul language.



Flash forward to the other night when the two came together for the first time since Brooks made a tongue in cheek reference to Wade Redden in an earlier newspaper article that Tortorella obviously didn't think was funny.



Tortorella obviously let his emotions and feelings get the best of him and I'm sure would love to take it back but from the fans standpoint, I love to see emotion like this. He's a coach standing up for his players and believing in his hockey club and isn't afraid to show it. Nothing wrong with that in my books.

Worst Hockey Fights...Ever!

From time to time I will feature the odd hockey tussle that helps to prove why hockey is the best professional sport.

However, from time to time the odd example of how NOT to fight is exemplified and usually by those who have no business dropping the gloves in the first place.

Here now are two prime examples for you to enjoy...and maybe have a chuckle over.

First we have Alexander Semin showing exactly why Russians tend to shy away from the physical stuff as he takes on Marc Staal. Note Semin's pugilistic skill.


This one features players from the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. I don't know what is more appalling, the fight or the music that goes along with this clip. Sadly I couldn't locate a music free version...but enjoy any way.

Clip of the Week - May 12/08

Love 'em or hate 'em, fights in hockey are part of the game and unless something drastic happens in the future, they'll always be a part of the game to some extent.

The thing about hockey fights is usually they only involve two players, one from each team. Every so often you get "line brawls" where all five players on each team on the ice will square off with some punches thrown and like most hockey fights, nobody gets injured other than maybe a bloody or broken nose. And on rare occasions the goalies will get into the action also.

The one thing you rarely see in the NHL anymore are bench clearing brawls when every player on both teams flood the ice and start fighting. I'd be lying if I said I'm glad we don't see them anymore as I think every now and then it would be OK if they happened but nobody wants to see them all the time. But sometimes the tensions run high and tempers boil over and they erupt into a real donnybrook.

On the other hand, bench clearing brawls in baseball look ridiculous. Usually they happen when a pitcher throws at a batter, the batter charges the mound and then everyone runs onto the field and stands around looking stupid. Most of the time there are only a few punches tossed so the whole thing is asinine.

I think baseball should be like hockey and if anyone leaves the bench, they should be fined or suspended and that might cut down on incidences of this type.

While benches clear all the time in baseball, I can't recall the last time it happened in an NHL game. Their have been some classics like the Montreal and Quebec dust-ups of days gone by but the most recent one I could locate was from the 1986-87 season where during the game teams left the bench. That game involved the Bruins and Nordiques and the clip is below.

The most recent baseball dance happened just this past week and of course it was just another waste of time. Seattle's Richie Sexson charged the mound after nearly being beaned in the head...or so he felt. I honestly don't think it was that bad but then again, I wasn't the one being thrown at.

Baseball Dust-up

Bruins & Nordiques Clear The Benches

Clip of the Week - March 24/08

There's been a lot of talk about hockey fights this past weekend mainly due to the line brawl in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In that game the players on the ice squared off and eventually Patrick Roy's son, who plays net, went after the other goalie who wanted no part of it. To me this is a joke. If the guy doesn't want to fight then be a man and respect that. There was nothing to be gained by Roy to force the issue and ultimately he pummeled the poor kid into submission. I'll share with you a clip of that fight to prove my point. It should never have happened and Roy should be suspended. By the way, Patrick Roy was one of my all time favourite NHL players.

That isn't to say I'm against fighting in hockey. In fact, I'm all for it, provided the combatants are both willing and the situation warrants it.

Such was the case on Saturday night when Chris Simon & Jim Vandermeer went toe to toe during a very spirited bout between the two NHL tough guys. They were both willing and actually discussed it prior to the puck drop and resumption of play. I believe fighting has its place in the game and can be a valuable tool to allow the players to police the game themselves and make other players accountable for their actions. Some of the more recent rule changes have ruined the game in many ways.

I recently watched an old Canada Cup game and it was some of the best hockey I can ever recall watching. But if they were using today's rules, the game would have been non-stop penalties for hooking, clutching and grabbing and slashing. I miss the good 'ol days.

Chris Simon & Jim Vandermeer

Johnathon Roy & Bobby Nadeau

Clip of the Week - October 22/07

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.

Hockey: Please Don't Change

Two teams strap on the blades and cover themselves in their protective gear as they prepare for battle on the frozen field. Back and forth they go, each struggling for an opportunity to give their team a lead while striving for a victory. Elbows rise, sticks slash, bodies are banged against an unforgiving wall but if the powers that be have their way, gone will be the one thing that truly makes the game of hockey the exciting sport it has always been.

I consider myself a hockey purist. Nothing thrills me more then seeing a team move the puck down the ice; completing the perfect passing play; finished off with a puck in the back of the net. Afterall, that is the object of the game...to score.

However, there has always been the game within the game. Teams genuinely disliking each other, players trash talking in the hopes it may give them an edge. And above all else, fighting was a part of the game. I say "was" because for some reason, the mama's boys in charge of overseeing our game have deemed fighting to be unnecessary.

I truly believe the smart people in control of the games destiny never actually played the game and can't understand why fighting should remain an important part of the sport. Honestly, when was the last time you went to a game and the fans booed because a fight broke out on the ice? I'm betting never.

Fighting has its place in hockey. As someone who has been around the game for a while, mostly at the Junior level, I have witnessed first hand how a little intimidation can turn a game or series around. Several years back a team I support was trailing in a series against a more skilled hockey club. After a bench clearing brawl took place and our team put the fear of the almighty in the opposition, they were done. They were skilled but after that they shied away from every hit and wouldn't battle for pucks in the corner. We ended up winning a championship that season.

Some would say it's a scare tactic that doesn't belong and to them I say grab your purse and spend your time watching figure skating instead.

Of course a donnybrook doesn't happen very often and I don't think it's something I'd want to see all the time. Ok, once or twice a year would be fun. No, I think every team should have two or three enforcers to get the job done. The problem is the enforcer is becoming a thing of the past because people think we need to see the smaller, faster, skilled players.

Call me crazy but I can remember watching plenty of skilled players long before the sissies took over running the show. Those players could either fight their own battles or they had teammates who would do that job.

Gordie Howe was one of the best hockey players of all time and he could take care of himself. Wayne Gretzky had Dave Semenko to protect him. Al Secord scored 30 goals and had over 300 penalty minutes in a season. Chris Nilan, Tie Domi, Tiger Williams, Dave Schultz and Tim Hunter all had high penalty numbers but still managed to contibiute on the scoresheet.

My point is, fighting and enforcers have their place in the game. It is a part of the sport I love and while I appreciate the skilled players like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin or Joe Thornton, I still enjoy watching guys like Donald Brashear, Brad May, Chris Neil and Steve Ott drop the gloves and settle things like men.

Last thoughts...when was the last time you saw a player seriously injured from a hockey fight? Now think about how often you see players badly injured by high sticks. I ask you, what is the bigger fish to fry?

Here's a fight video I thought you might enjoy. If not, then I'll try and find some exciting curling action for you next time.