Greetings Hockey fans! We’re past the halfway mark in the shortened season and from here on in every game counts. While there is variability in almost every game to create excitement, it appears that there is one consistent factor that keeps fans glued to their scream and hammering on the glass. What’s this, you may ask? You tell me: What happens in every NHL hockey game that isn’t goal scoring, winning or losing? Why do guys like Colton Orr, Chris Neil, or perhaps a more infamous example, Matt Cooke, play in the NHL? It’s not because of their skill or speed, that much is obvious. No my friends. It’s because they can fight.
There has been much debate in the NHL as to the appropriateness of fighting in the game. The raw facts are that fighting can result in serious injury, suspensions, and in serious cases, legal action. What this adds to the game truly mystifies me. This is supposed to be hockey, not UFC! If I want to see a fight, I’ll change the channel to boxing.
For example, David Dziurzynski, 23, got a concussion after a fight in the Leafs-Sens game this past Thursday night. The worst part about this is that it was wholly unnecessary. I won’t go into the cumbersome details on concussions, but in short, they are often very serious and result in tons of missed time (just ask Sidney Crosby). Sidney and other exciting, skilled players are the face of the NHL, and it is in the league’s interest to ensure their safety, since fans like skilled guys that can move the puck and create scoring chances. Nobody actually likes the goons. They are simply there for entertainment purposes.
Other arguments for keeping fighting in the game are along the lines of ‘Hockey is a tough-guy or manly sport’. If I had to guess, I’d say most parents who have their kids in hockey would rather see their children simply have fun at the rink with their teammates instead of seeing who is big and tough enough to crush all the other players. I also don’t find fighting particularly ‘manly’—honestly, it’s just idiotic. Yes, we all get mad, but when was the last time you got angry on the job and decided to punch your co-worker in the face? You’d certainly be fired- unless. of course, you worked in the NHL (or the UFC).
All in all, the NHL needs to grow up and put an end to this fighting nonsense. It would result in fewer injuries and hopefully reduce the frequency of other dangerous plays outside of fighting, such as blindside hits and head shots. Ultimately, the quality of hockey will be better, bringing up young guys to play at the NHL level rather than having those spots taken up by goons who really shouldn’t be there at all. This would compensate for any loss of fan base due to banning fighting. It would also set a better example for younger kids playing competitive hockey—it’s always better to hurt the other team on the scoreboard.
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