Hockey Fights, why are they allowed?

Question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca28G8iExJM

Why don't the ref's break it up until the end? they are clearly letting it go on.

Isn't there a rule about this?

Answer 1

Referees don't want to jump in and get themselves injured. As soon as they can stop it without getting anyone else hurt, they do.

Plus, by letting the fight continue, you get some energy released and also release some tension between teams. (especially if it's been a very physical game)

The referees are doing almost everything right, if they aren't, they'll get the boot by their superiors. They are constantly monitored and evaluated.

Answer 2

It will be very difficult to take fighting totally out of the game - the alternatives are much worse. To take fighting away, opens the door for retaliatory stick work - the slashes, hooks, spears and so on would become the way for a frustrated player to "get back" at an opponent for what may be perceived as something they may or may not have done. In such a fast-paced, inherently violent sport where players are getting bigger and stronger and the equipment is so much more protective than ever before, players are almost like gladiators - no fear and sometimes no brain. The fights, almost exclusively mutual and between enforcer type players, takes the pressure off the rest of the players, and keeps the incidents of stickwork down. Besides, it's very entertaining and rarely results in serious injury.

Answer 3

Hockey is a violent and physical sport. With all the body checking, and slashing, you're bound to become frustrated, which leads to the fighting. If you were a basketball player, and was getting pushed around and thrown to the floor again & agin, you would come up fists swinging. Therefore, hockey allows fights for players to vent their frustration. Yes, there hv been some bad injuries caused by the fighting, but in most cases, both parties involved are allowed to let off some steam without any harm to each other by fighting.

Answer 4

Hockey, my favorite sport, is a very violent game. Everyone is expected to hit someone on the other team - except the goalie. But there are guys that are not good at hitting - they are good at scoring. So their teammates take up for them so the other teams do not try to "legitimately" injure an important player on their team. So any hit perceived to be a cheap shot at an elite player, is likely to draw retaliation and -maybe-a fight - especially if someone hits your goalie - stand up for them like your best girl. The reason is you need these players playing to succeed in the season.

Also, when a team is playing flat, a player will instigate a fight to help his mates get 'up' for the game.

The referees know why players fight, they try to break it up before anyone gets hurt or when they think they won't get hurt when they go in to stop it. I have seen fights last 5 seconds and 5 minutes.

Once, while watching a game, a player on the other team from my favorite, kept doing things which were not hockey acceptable but not so grievious as to draw a penalty. Finally, one of the players on my favorite team had enough and seperated this guy out for a fight. The guy was blantantly begging the refs to stop it before it began. I truly believe they told him he had it coming.

Fights are always going to be a part of hockey. I can not stand watching wresling or boxing but I can not tear my eyes away from a hockey fight.

Answer 5

The refs let the players fight (just as long as there is no chance they can get seriously injured) to make the game just a little bit more exciting. Plus, if the ref doesn't break it up, they can get it out of there systems.

Answer 6

Hockey just isnt hockey without fights. You have to have fights in this game. It gets your team pumped up. It can intimidate the other team. And it gets the crowd crazy. I mean besides being at your favorite teams game and seeing them score, i think fights come in second to the scoring. Like last nights game wit carolinavs Washington, when Walker had him 2 fights. Man i wish i was at that game!

Go Canes!

Answer 7

Well, Im a huge hockey fan, and the fighting brings more people to the games. A lot of people dont enjoy the game of hockey. They just come for the fights. If they didnt allow fights, even less fans would come to the games

Answer 8

You have obviously never played the game.When you have some no-talent hooking you ,grabbing your stick or chopping at your ankles it doesn't take long to get pissed right off.Even great gentlemanly players like Bobby Orr and Guy Lafleur couldn't put up with that crap.Chippy and antagonizing players like Claude Lemieux and Chris Chelios are the main reason that most guys drop their gloves .Just ask Don Cherry.

Answer 9

it's a way to let out frustration. ever see a bench clearing brawl in baseball?Having seen that clip, boorgard should be suspended for the the cheap shots after the other guy went down. it's a standard non-written rule that you don't hit a guy when he's down.

Answer 10

well i believe that...they allow them to fight to relieve tension...and the refs break it up if the fall down or something...srry not really good about some of the rules. i just watch it.