Article by John Mowatt

Fights in the game of hockey have always caused a lot of controversy. There have been proposals to completely ban fights in hockey and “clean up” the sport. A lot of people will voice the opinion that fighting greatly detracts from the skill of the game. These “anti-fighting” people have never of course played a game of hockey and simply can’t understand the importance that fighting has in hockey.

If fighting is banned this will probably lead to more stick fouls,
illegal checks from behind, and various other infractions of the
rules. Fights help to keep hockey a clean game. The game of hockey is played with great intensity and great pressure and fighting is a relief valve to vent this pressure. With no fights there might be a state of anarchy on the ice. Nearly all professional sports have some degree of violence and intimidation in them. Hockey is one sport which lowers this pressure by fighting. Two players from the opposing teams tear into one another and settle the problem. Most hockey fans look forward to a good fight on the ice. Some indeed go to hockey games hoping that there will be a fight.

There are two main things which get fans to their feet during a game. The most important thing is a goal and the other great thrill is a good fight. When one of the top skilled players is elbowed or stick slashed the enforcer from his team will be sent out to take on the attacker and to cause a fight. In this way top players are given protection from injury. The player any team really wants to acquire is one who can score goals, make good plays and fight like a demon.

Hockey a high speed intense game in which the players carry sticks and wear steel blades. Collisions are constantly taking place during the game. It is certain that there will be some disagreements which can lead to fights. The two opposing fighters are then given penalties and the game moves on. Nobody is interested in seeing continuous elbowing, fouls and slashing but this is what very probably will take place, without fighting to relieve the pressure.

Most coaches will use a fight to help prod a team back to life. When a team is losing the game, and everything is just going wrong, an enforcer will be sent out on the ice to throw a few rough checks at the other team. This normally draws a similar response and inevitably a fight starts up. This disruption can wake up the losing team and will get the crowd into the game a lot more.

Some fights are the result of sheer frustration. A lopsided score, well into the game, gets the losing players frustrated enough to start an altercation. The coach of a winning team will usually keep their highly skilled players on the bench at this time, and send out the enforcers and tough players, for this reason.

Hockey fights are really quite different from other kinds of fighting. The fights are totally real and the opposing players
really are trying to pound one another into giving up. The player who
lands the greatest number of good solid punches and who ends up
on top when they go down on the ice is the unofficial winner.

Frequently there is a knockout, but then again many fights will end with a draw. In hockey fights the fighters are on skates and balance is a crucial issue. A small player who has good balance can often beat a bigger opponent who is not so well balanced. Being on skates is a great equalizing factor in hockey fights.

Many fans, announcers, and needless to say players, like hockey fights. Fighting has been an integral part of the game of hockey for years and will quite likely remain a part of it.

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