Fighting in Hockey

Why is it that every year during hockey season, I hear the same lame argument that hockey should eliminate fighting. I'm listening to Mike and Mike and big surprise, Mike Greenberg thinks it's too violent and doesn't understand why it's allowed. You know what "Greeny", stick to sports you do understand and talk about them (that goes for everyone who doesn't follow hockey but still feels the need to chime in with their opinion).

Greenberg was saying that he thought hockey has lost viewers because of it's violence. Yeah, because boxing's not violent right Greeny? I understand people have their own opinions but as someone who has an audience, for him to discuss his point of views without educating himself first is absurd.

Fighting is as much a part of hockey as it is in boxing or mixed martial arts. Why don't people discuss them as much, because they realize that it's a part of the sport where they don't think it is in hockey. Also, for the record, hockey has gained viewers slowly but surely the past 4 years. Furthermore, it's my opinion that they would lose more fans by eliminating fighting then they would gain.

For those of you who are mild hockey fans or don't know too much about it, let me educate you on why guys fight.

First, pay attention to when there is a fight. Normally, a fight is initiated by a player who's team is losing by no more than two goals with plenty of time to come back. They use fighting as a tool to get their team and fans re-energized. You'll never see a player who's team is down by more than two goals start a fight unless one of his star players is roughed up by an opposing enforcer or antagonist which brings me to my next point.

Another use for the fight is to intimidate opposing antagonist or enforcers. You don't want players on other teams to think your team is soft and that they can bully your star players. For instance, the Capitals have Donald Brashear for the sole reason of protecting OV, Green, Backstrom, and Semin.

Don't think there aren't tough guys in other sports like Baseball and Football either. What happens when a base runner slides and spikes one of your players? I guarantee more times than not, that same player is gonna go to the locker room with a bruise on his back from a fastball. Or when a defensive lineman gives a quarterback a shot after the whistle? There will be some retaliation from someone. That is just the way sports are played.

Bottom line is most of the time, these players aren't fighting each other to injure someone or even because they dislike each other. It's used as a strategy, and a tool. I won't sit here and say that these players do like one another, but it is far from why they fight.

So Greeny, and all of the other sportswriters and columnists, I hope you learned something today... I rule!