What is the point of fights in the NHL?

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Seems kind of pointless.

Although I kicked Pete Rose Jr's ass on the ice one time.. Pulled his shirt over his head and gave him a few uppercuts.

:suomi:
 

Ron Mexico. #7
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Hey BRO,

Baseball players are steroid pussies..

Us canadian hockey players beat you little South Carolina bitches...
 

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Pete Rose JR said:
Baseball players are steroid pussies..

Is that why your handle is Pete Rose JR and your avatar is the Blue Jays logo?
 

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To understand fighting in hockey you must understand the history of the game. Back in the day, the game was largely self-policed. There was an unwritten code as to what was acceptable to do to another guy and if you crossed that line you knew you had to answer to fists. Not only did this protect star players from injury and harassment, but it also provided additional entertainment from time to time with relatively few injuries as a result. Hockey is an emotional sport where you can really grow to hate the other team. Sometimes emotions boil over and scores need to be settled. Fighting has never been the focal point of the sport itself and any impressions to the contrary are misguided.

Fighting's existence didn't really become controversial until the late-60's/70's when many teams began to employ some players strictly for their fighting abilities. At this time, bench-clearing brawls became increasingly more prevalent too. Since this started to give the league a bad name, in the 80's the league started handing out stiff suspensions for leaving the bench and they disappeared. While most people agreed this move was for the best, the introduction of the instigator rule (which gives penalties to anyone who starts a fight) in the early 90's is considered by many hockey purists to have had a negative impact on the sport. Players are now less accountable to fists than ever before and stars have had to deal with more injuries as a result of cheapshots, stickwork and concussions than ever before. The level of respect that once existed is now all but gone. I can understand why fighting in a sport (aside from boxing) seems strange to someone new to the game, but it does serve a purpose.
 

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Betmaster,
Thank you for a very reasoned post. I would take issue with a couple of your points. First, the game is not now, nor should not be, self-policed. The players should play and the officials should officiate.
Second, you say fighting serves a purpose, and from your post above I gather that you think it's a dual purpose..."There was an unwritten code as to what was acceptable to do to another guy and if you crossed that line you knew you had to answer to fists. Not only did this protect star players from injury and harassment, but it also provided additional entertainment from time to time with relatively few injuries as a result."...Now, the first purpose can also be accomplished by the officials calling penalties against players who "cross the line", as you say. I repeat players should play, and officials should officiate. The second purpose, the additional entertainment fighting provides to the hooligan element of the hockey fan base, is the real reason that nothing has been done by the NHL to eliminate fighting. I agree that the focal point of the sport is putting the puck in the net and stopping the opposing team from doing the same. But you are incredibly naive if you think that fighting (just like car crashes in motor racing) isn't the focal point for many hockey fans. The difference is that car crashes can not be completely eliminated in motor racing, whereas fighting could be, and should be, completely eliminated from hockey.
 

Self appointed RX World Champion Handicapper
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i think their are fights so the fans have something to talk about the next day other than all the icing's , interference , holding and tripping calls .

not to mention the couple of times that giant truck comes out and drives around the rink a few laps.
 

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doug stewart said:
Betmaster,
Thank you for a very reasoned post. I would take issue with a couple of your points. First, the game is not now, nor should not be, self-policed. The players should play and the officials should officiate.
Second, you say fighting serves a purpose, and from your post above I gather that you think it's a dual purpose..."There was an unwritten code as to what was acceptable to do to another guy and if you crossed that line you knew you had to answer to fists. Not only did this protect star players from injury and harassment, but it also provided additional entertainment from time to time with relatively few injuries as a result."...Now, the first purpose can also be accomplished by the officials calling penalties against players who "cross the line", as you say. I repeat players should play, and officials should officiate. The second purpose, the additional entertainment fighting provides to the hooligan element of the hockey fan base, is the real reason that nothing has been done by the NHL to eliminate fighting. I agree that the focal point of the sport is putting the puck in the net and stopping the opposing team from doing the same. But you are incredibly naive if you think that fighting (just like car crashes in motor racing) isn't the focal point for many hockey fans. The difference is that car crashes can not be completely eliminated in motor racing, whereas fighting could be, and should be, completely eliminated from hockey.

I'm sure that fighting is the focal point for some hockey fans. That's probably not a good thing. I wouldn't say most fans fit this profile though (certainly not here in Canada).

Your point that players should play and officials should officiate is valid. Unfortunately, officials have either been ineffective or penalties/suspensions have simply proven to be a less effective deterrent to engaging in dirty play than fists once were.

Having said that, I enjoy the occasional fight. I feel fighting has its time and its place in the game and I don't think this makes me a bloodthirsty hooligan. So do most players I might add, even the ones who never participate in them. After a big bout, it is not uncommon to see players standing up and banging their sticks against the boards to cheer their teammate on.
 

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