Rones said:
Why do they take their helmets off when fighting? Seems like that is just making it easier for you to get beat on. (knows nothing of hockey) Also, why does hockey make rules that encourage fighting when there are other games just as competive and possibly rougher?
There are rules to fighting in hockey that combatants must follow. For instance your helmet should be removed, and your sweater must be tucked in and secured. You're gloves need to be removed as well, even if the goalies want to go at it. (which does happen, and it's hilarious) And it goes without saying that you're stick needs to be lost too, or else that's aggravated assault, no matter what league you play for.
If you don't comply to these rules, instead of serving a 5 minute major, you will serve a 3 game suspension.
As far as the NHL making rules than encourages fighting... that's kinda false. Someone earlier made a reference to the Todd Bertuzzi incident. Well, that's what happens when players emotions get taken too far. For those who don't know, Bertuzzi took his stick and hit a kid from behind. And he was punished for it, and it probably cost his team a decent vie for the Stanley Cup. Anyway, the league has been taking steps to rid the league of said goons who are good for nothing but fighting. Back in the glory days of hockey, the 70's and 80's, it was not uncommon to have 3 lines of scorers and decent defenders, and have one full line dedicated to full on goon action. Goons on a team serve as protectors of thier higher talent teamates. If someone ever took a bad hack on Wayne Gretsky in Los Angeles, you'd better believe Marty McSorly was out on the next line to punish the guy. It actually led to fewer injuries in the league, because it kept the chippie players in check. But ever since the emergence of two way players like Eric Lindros (pansy) and the likes of former Ranger defenseman Jeff Beukeboom, guys who can score and defend themselves, the need for such goon protectors has waned.
Now within the circles of hockey fans, there is a huge debate going on over weather fighting should be allowed in the sport anymore or not. Again, in a free flowing sport like hockey, plays don't last for a mere 10 seconds or less, like in football or baseball, there is a ton of player contact, and most players
have to fulfill more than one role on the ice. That means alot of exposure to the other team.
Let's look at European hockey, where fighting is not allowed. Huge fanbase, and there is a
ton of talent on the ice at all times, but there are more injuries, and a lot more serious injuries. It is not uncommon for a European hockey team to go through 7 or 8 starting centres in one season just because of injury, not because of regular line mixing.
I am all for fighting in hockey. It's one of the things I participate in, so in that respect, I'm very biased. I have fulfilled the Enforcer role on many teams, I know the rules and why they are in place.
Unfortunatly, because of the state of today's NHL, there is no room for me.
(I'm too old now anyways, at 23...)
T Lawrence
#89 Left Defense
::Edit:: You're helmet
should be removed, it's not in the rulebook, but it's kinda within the code of players. Jerome Iginla never takes his off, but he's not really an enforcer. Watch a man like Bob Probert... man... he throws his halfway into the crowd!
