OT: Fighting in Hockey

Submitted by Maizerage11 on

Martin's punch on Kearney this week triggered a discussion yesterday about sportsmanship and toughness.  It seemed to me that there were two sides to this discussion.

1) People defending/applauding Martin's toughness and aggression.  People argue that fighting is a part of hockey.  Maybe Martin was a little over the top but this is part of the sports.

2) People assserting that this is not the kind of behavior that we want representing the Unviersity of Michigan.

Althought I understand both of these opinions, I feel that there is a larger issue at play here.  That problem is fighting in hockey. 

Fighting is accepted as a part of the game, especially at the pro level.  This attitude/philosophy permiates through the various levels of play.  I had my hockey career ended on punch similar to the one Marting through.  I legally checked a guy and he turned around and punched my head into the boards knocking me out cold.   The dissapointment of having my hockey careeer taken away from because someone was frustrated is tough to swallow.  

I understand that agression and violence is  a part of sports.   I played 4 years of college lacrosse, and sure people got hurt from violent hits, but atleast they were in the flow of the game.  A brawl after the whistle is simple not an option in the sport of lacrosse.

I think the NHL needs to take stand on this issue.  There should not be a penalty for fighting because fighting is not an option.  When the whistle blows the play is dead.  Anything after that gets you tossed immidietly, with a pending suspension.  We have enough head injuries already, so lets get rid of the sensless ones.

 

 

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Canadian

January 18th, 2016 at 9:11 PM ^

Yes but at the end of last night's game it was a couple of Michigan Wolverines that started with the cross checks and punches. When the final buzzer sounds (especially when you have won on your own rink) you congratulate the goalie and line up to shake fucking hands.
Any feelings you got, you take them into the next game. I would've rather had none of that happen last night and have a true fight next meeting. That wasn't a fight last night it was a wolverine throwing punches at a guy on the ice under a linesman.



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Yostbound and Down

January 18th, 2016 at 6:07 PM ^

Talk about no politics...

In all seriousness, yeah Martin got a cheap shot in. But who knows what was said, rivalry game etc. And beside's that, it's part of what makes hockey hockey. 

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Yessir

January 18th, 2016 at 6:09 PM ^

I'm ok with fighting because thats what I grew up with.  But if I had a kid who wanted to play, I would want them to play in a safe, reasonably well refereed sport. 

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pmark1210

January 18th, 2016 at 6:10 PM ^

so you legally checked him, then he turned around and punched you? sounds to me like you hit him from behind, and if he didn't fall from it, means you hit him into the boards, from behind. doesn't sound exactly legal. look, I play 4 nights a week, no contact, suspension if you fight. but I wish there was fighting in beer league adult hockey. some guys just need an attitude adjustment

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pmark1210

January 18th, 2016 at 6:21 PM ^

I completely get that point, and I agree whole heartedly with you. my point of view is that I see too many times a fairly good skater laying a dirty elbow or pushing around of lesser skaters. that frustrates me. but yes, I get your point and agree with you as well.

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umbig11

January 18th, 2016 at 6:19 PM ^

More importantly, none of us played in the game. You have no idea what happened during the game to lead to the events that took place. Let it go. He will be penalized and it Will sort itself out by the league and officials.

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doggdetroit

January 18th, 2016 at 6:20 PM ^

I think fighting in the NHL has been significantly reduced. It still goes on obviously, but compared to the 80s and 90s it has become a rare occurence, a relic of the past if you will. The Red Wings - Avalanche series of slugfests (which I loved as a kid) would never take place today.

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GoBlueNorth

January 18th, 2016 at 6:21 PM ^

Some people compared this to some incidents that we've witnessed in football. The only team sport that I accept fighting in is hockey. It has always been a self policing sport and any of us who have played it know better than to leave ourselves defenseless. If this was big boy hockey Martin would go out next time expecting payback.

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MeanJoe07

January 18th, 2016 at 6:27 PM ^

I like a nice swift elbow to the jaw first thing in the AM.  I also like Hockey FIghts and a cheap Merlot in the evening. When I there isn't a fight I get all antsy and have to go out and bare knuckel punch a tree.

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MichiganStudent

January 18th, 2016 at 6:27 PM ^

Fighting should absolutely remain in the game. I love the self policing aspect of the game. However, cheap shots need to be banned and the offender should be severely punished. I think Martin's was more of a cheap shot issue than anything. Once the refs are I you or a guy is on his back you have to lay off.



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xtramelanin

January 18th, 2016 at 6:30 PM ^

ended'?  i mean, college lax isn't like playing wiffleball in the back yard so obviously your melon and neck recovered well enough for contact (which is a good thing).

when you throw in the ohio kid's cross check to the neck of a wolverine with 2 seconds left in his losing game, he should be glad his head is still attached.   back when i played, maybe not so lucky. 

fighting is part of the sport.  i think it has hit a sweet spot in that there is still a place for it, but it is not goonesville.  when i played juniors before college we used to fight for 2 periods and then try to score in the 3rd.   that was a bit much. 

 

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Jack Hammer

January 18th, 2016 at 6:32 PM ^

An acquaintance of mine was an enforcer in the NHL. He is 50 and can't lay flat on his back without getting constant headaches. He sleeps in a recliner. He is perpetually fearful of symptoms of brain injury. He estimates he had over 100 concussions. I think we all enjoy the physical nature of hockey but don't pretend that it doesn't have dire consequences or make light of the serious risks.

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smitty1983

January 18th, 2016 at 6:33 PM ^

One I played college hockey, yeah cool story bro....that was not a fight. A fight is between two willing partners ready to go. Two, I'd rather take that cheap shot when the guy has a glove on and I have a face make any day of the week than a dirty knee to knee or shoulder hit. You sound bitter



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Sac Fly

January 18th, 2016 at 6:35 PM ^

What Martin did was not part of the game or even fighting. He punched a guy who was laying on the ice. That's not acceptable at any level of hockey in 2016.

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Wolverine4545

January 18th, 2016 at 6:48 PM ^

People on the sidelines should have no input on sports issues, IMHO. It is 2016; if you play a sport, get hit in the head repeatedly, and continue to do it, that is on you. Want to stop/limit head injuries in youth leagues, sign me up. But can we please, please, PLEASE, stop trying to supervise the actions of adults playing sports? The decision to continue playing contact sports and eating McDonalds are on the same spectrum. It's their choice, they know the consequences. As for this specific thread, there is a difference between a cheap shot and a fight. Fighting has a place in hockey, leave it be.



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sharklover

January 18th, 2016 at 7:17 PM ^

If you were discussing amateur sports I'd back you 100%. But we are talking about major professional sports, where people, often from impoverished backgrounds, view sports as a profession and a ticket to economic independence. Sports are a means to a livelihood for many athletes, many of whom receive inadequate education to expect viable careers in other economic sectors.

Even kids who simply want to play sports at school or intramural levels are impacted by rules decisions and the culture that is established at the national and professional levels. They can choose not to play, but ultimately that can lead to negative social consequences.

Sports are a socioeconomic necessity for some people, who do not have the ability to change or influence the rules.

Rules are generally set by owners in the national professional leagues, or the coaches at the college level. The influence of individual players is generally quite limited. The athletes are cogs in the machine, though a small percentage earn the right to become very well-paid cogs, for a short period. The decisions that are made in the major national leagues, be they pro or college, have a strong influence on the rules and the culture of sports at the junior level.

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DrewGOBLUE

January 18th, 2016 at 7:20 PM ^

Have to disagree somewhat, at least when it comes to head trauma, CTE, etc. Until recently, the potential for long-term cognitive symptoms hadn't been made clear to athletes.

It also doesn't help that the NFL continues to cite a "lack of conclusive evidence" that football is linked to such risks. And I'm sure they'll continue to do anything and everything, no matter how nefarious, to protect their stupid-ass shield.

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