Fighting In Hockey – Stay or Go?

While it is fresh on the minds of everyone, especially now that the topic of the day is that of Concussions, just listen to the crowd when two players start to fight.

If the officials move in quick, some are upset and feel the fight should continue, till someone drops and you have a winner.

While this poll by Ipsos Reid was taken in 2011 the results and the concerns of many are very interesting, considering the sport is now considered a rich man’s sport.

Most Canadians want fighting banned from hockey but the younger fans are somewhat less troubled by it and don’t know what all the concern is about.

In the Ipsos Reid poll, conducted for Post media News and Global National, 54% said the National Hockey League should impose an outright ban and 68% rejected the idea that “violence is just a part of the game.”

About 60% of those between 18 and 34 opposed a prohibition of on-ice fights and it was endorsed by 56% of the 35-54 age group and 65% of people 55 and over.

Stiffer penalties for “violence-related” offenses like cross-checking were backed by 80 percent. Tolerance of fighting was highest in Alberta and lowest in the Maritime provinces.

Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby, has been out of action with a concussion after taking hits to the head in two consecutive games Jan 1. and 5.

The blind-side hits or the hits to the head are really what they need to stop, fighting can take care of itself.

The online poll of 1,097 adults conducted Tuesday through Thursday had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

While many can argue that this is a part of the game, the officials do what they can to enforce the rules, but sometimes in the heat of the game, tempers can flair, that is when fights start.

In conversation with several involved in the game, they feel the problems arise when officials don’t call enough penalties to keep the garbage out of the game, thereby letting the game get physical and that is when the stick-work starts.

The age old thought – if it’s a penalty – CALL IT.

The officials play a huge role in this, but there must be far more training given to the one’s that are front and centre – point in question, just ask anyone about the officiating in the Women’s Final Gold Medal game in Sochi.

Fighting won’t be eliminated from the game until the NHL wants to stop it completely and enforce stiffer penalties and fines to those who start.