Ice Hockey fights, why?!
By cerium
@cerium (691)
May 5, 2007 1:30pm CST
I'm not a big fan of Ice Hockey, however, lately I've watched some games from the NHL. I do like the sport, and I think it's entertaining to watch. However, there was one thing that kept on bugging me, which is fights.
I think that the ingame fights are a distraction. I understand that they are allowed so as to entertain spectators (even if historically that wasn't the main reason), and I understand that some people like Ice Hockey mainly because of these fights. But I think that they are totally out of place. Look at a game like Rugby, a more violent game, but with much less fights!
Also, these fights look a little faked to me. With the refree and the other players watching, it seems ridiculous.
1 person likes this
1 response
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
6 May 07
Fights are key part of NHL hockey. They are not pretend fights like WWE, they are real. The players are allowed to fight to settle cheap shots that happen on the ice.There are rules. It has to be one on one, they have to drop their gloves and as soon as one of the players is pinned on the ice, it is over. That is why the Linesmen and the Refs are standing around waiting.Without fighting there would be more slashing, boarding, and roughing of the star players because the inforcers would know that they would get two mintues in the sin bin.But with fighting, they do a cheap shot, they will have a bulls eye on their back and there will be a fight. If this sounds too ridiculous or too violent, you should see olympic hockey.There's no fighting.
@cerium (691)
•
6 May 07
So, fighting are used strategically to get rid of some players, or to defend star players! Interesting....but still ridiculous! I think law can be enforced on those who do penalties without a need for a fight (as you said, there are no fights within the olympic hockey). One more thing is, what is the point of pinning the other player on ice when both players are going to get sent off (no matter who wins the fight)?! What will be the difference if the fight is immediately stopped and both players are sent off (as in other sports)?
Anyway, I have to thank you for your informative response.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
7 May 07
Sometimes it is only the one player that is going off.And if he can make the other player pin him or start a fight, they Both go off. I have seen it when a average player fights a star player and they both go off and it was a great move because the star can't help with the 4 on 4 or powerplay.If they took it out completetly , I would fear for the safety of the smaller players.The bigger guys wold finish their checks a little more harder.I'm sorry you don't like the fighting. I am one of those fans that love to see the fights.Most of the time it is more like a wrestling match.I would trully miss it if it were outlawed.
1 person likes this
@cerium (691)
•
8 May 07
It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I think of it as a distraction. I like watching Ice Hockey, although I don't see the puck most of the time (my vision is not so good :)). I like the pace of the game too. But when it comes to fighting, it is almost as if someone switched the TV channel.
In my country, they play it on skates and not ice! There are no fights for sure. It's not that popular sport here, though. Matches don't get broadcasted on TV, and it's really a very few that do practise it.
My views are of an outsider (who is not familiar with the game), so maybe that's the reason. But since many fans (like you) like it, so maybe it's really good to have them after all.
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