Does fighting still have a place in hockey? Does it really help a team in any way?

Question

I'm on the fence on this one, so I'm curious what others think. Personally, I don't care at all for it, but I'm not up in arms against it. It does seem to me, though, that people overstate its importance in helping to "rally a team" or other such nonsense. When a team goes on to victory after a fight, they'll talk about it, but what about the times it doesn't happen? And if it's such a critical part of the game, why does it disappear during the playoffs to the point where there were no fights in last year's Finals (despite the Ducks leading the league in fighting majors)?

Convince me - I'd like to hear both sides of the argument, and you don't have to agree at all with me.

Answer 1

How many other sports give guys a weapon to carry? And when people get angry do they not use that weapon on the focus of their anger? And how do you make someone stop doing something aggressive like using their stick in an irresponsible manner? Give them a time out? Yeah like that teaches them a lesson.
Sometimes the only way to deal with an outright idiot is to bloody his nose.
If a guy keeps using his stick in a careless manner and there was no way to make him pay the price all the penalties in the world won't make him stop. But if you let him know you're willing to go a step farther and back it up, it's amazing how often he gets the message.
It has nothing to do with appealing to the baser level of human kind or the fact hockey and it's fans are barbaric. It just works.
It can also fire up your team when the other side seems to be running your squad over with a truck and change the momentum.
For those who don't like fighting in hockey, I recommend you go back to watching those exciting sports of figure skating and tennis and STFU. No one cares for your opinions already. Once was enough. We get it. You're just a little thick it seems so here it is in plain English. WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU THINK YOU STUPID LITTLE WORM. Now go away or I will taunt you a second time!

I didn't mean you Craig, I think we all know whom I speak of.

Answer 2

Fighting in hockey serves a true purpose. As an example I will use the Red Wings, a very successful team. I have watched them for about 40 years, through good and bad.

In recent years the best way for a team to beat the Wings is to put them to sleep. The Wings will occasionaly get disinterested and unfocused, and when that happens they are vulnerable. The other team will have the Wings down - then some fool will pick a fight with a Wing, or cheap shot one which causes someone on the Wings to come to his defense and fight. Time and time again when that happens I have seen the Wings get energized, and suddenly they are scoring and making plays that a few minutes ago didn't seem to be in the cards. This has been the pattern with the Wings since '96.

You're right that in a lot of cases it only gets talked about when the team wins, but I watch the change in the team. Tonight I saw Edmonton cruising along, the Wings off a step, the passes in the skates, the shots hesitant. Granted, they have three key guys out (Draper, Maltby and Holmstrom), but they were just "off." Then a guy picks a minor fight with one of the Wings, and BOOM - they're energized.

I don't know how many teams are like that - but it does work with the Wings. When they are not doing well, I pray someone will pick a fight with them.

Answer 3

I think it's acceptable in its current state. Fighting regulates the cheep shots that are condoned by the officials. I think the reason you don't see fights in the playoffs is because those games are officiated to the letter of the law. Every cheep hit garners a penalty while some don't during the regular season (in order to move games along).

This may be a bit of a generalization but in my experience, most of the time fights are between people that have agreed to do so. It is a simple act for the purpose of letting both teams know they arn't getting away with anything and sometimes this is the only way to get through to a certain player/coach.

Fights make the highlight reel but arn't as widespread as someone on the other side of the fence might have you believe. I've been to 3 pro games this year and only seen one fight. That fight was because of a blatent cheep shot that wasn't called.

Answer 4

I personally don't mind a fight every now and then, so long as it's sportsman-like (which most of the time, it is...despite what the media portrays it as). Many times when players fight, it's predetermined and afterwards, you rarely see them mouthing off at each other...IT IS PART OF THE GAME. And yes...it does occasionally help to rally the troops.

If you saw the Devils-Bruins game last week, there was a fight when the Bruins were up 3-0 in the 1st period. Immediately following, the Devils looked like a different team, and eventually came back to win it 4-3.

Answer 5

They are not excuses... it is neccessary. The Flyers and Pens game on Tuesday is an example. The Pens were mad at Jason Smith for an incident with Crosby at a previous game. Instead of head-hunting or slashing him, they drop the gloves right away and the player has a chance to defend himself. Later on Eager for the Flyers took a cheap shot at Laraque for the Pens and so another Pen started a fight with him. Later Laraque took a cowardly cheap shot at the legs of Martin Biron, because he was not able to fight him. This is exactly what fights avoid.

With such a violent sport, you have to be able to protect your team and do it in a way where the other player can defend himself. Otherwise that frustration leads to much worse things. Do fans like it for the violence....? Sure, but in this sport it is necessary.

There are not a lot of fights in the playoffs, because the fourth line players which usually are the enforcers play less time, and they don't want to take a chance at giving the other team a PP. Everything tightens up in the playoffs. But to say that you don't need it, is just untrue. Any fan of the game knows that this way to police the sport keeps injuries down in the game.

Answer 6

Its always been part of the game. I think its a good thing. Get rid of the instigator rule (if they still have it). Fighting is there to keep thugs from taking cheap shots at the other teams star players. Most often fights happen after hard play and questionable cheap shots.

There is a time and place for it. The reason you don't see it (or any penalties) as often in the playoffs is those teams are more skilled and more likely to make a team pay for these things. You didn't work all year long getting into the playoffs to risk doing something stupid like take cheap shots that will hurt your team. They play more carefully.

Answer 7

Fighting has it's place if you are protecting one of your stars from a very much less talented player. Goons are goons but today there are those who only want to make a name for themselves and anything goes. They have no respect for other players especially the stars. Fighting, goon against goon can change the entire flow of a game depending on who wins the fight. In the 70's this was a big part of the Big Bad Bruins & the BroadStreet Bullies. They had talent & toughtness....

Answer 8

The Fighting standards in hockey are not redundant, they are indispensable. Normally when some one fights its because they get knocked off their game and focus on the frustrations. that's why you see fights during blowouts. Sometimes its sought after with intent. its really only an expression of 2 people that got the best of each other and cant control themselves. But from the first ever hockey fight to today's Gary Roberts vs Ben Eager it becomes an expectation to the demographic. its the alternative cheer to goal scoring and game saves. But there's no way to rid the league of its version of assault. innate aggression will always be part of the game and will never be rejected. its kill or be killed in every aspect. Plus no one is safe from Brendan Shanahan.

Answer 9

Nah it sparks life onto a team if you see your teammate go out and try to get the crowd into it and risk injury to go toe to toe with the other teams best fighter.When the fight is over everyone on the bench bang their sticks on the boards to let that player know hey thanks for doing what you just did.I agree there is no more fighting in the playoffs probably because they re-arrange the lineups to play the best players and keep the goons off the ice..

Answer 10

The players union would never allow an end to fighting becuase it would cost quite a few players their jobs. Donald Brashear would have no place in the league if they eliminated fighting.