So as most of you know, there has been lots of worry and discussions about athletes' safety in the sports they play. One of the sports in the discussion is hockey and NHL has changed the way players do their fighting. Fighting. One of things that makes hockey stand out against the other sports (excluding WWE, UFC, boxing, or 2015-2016 season of football).
For years, fighting was a big thing in hockey bringing more intensity to the game. Now the big debate question is: Should there be fighting in hockey at all? My answer is: Yes.
Why?
Well, let's look at it this way - the intensity of the game is one of the things that make people watch. Intensity means how fast the players skate back and forth on the ice, when the players go against each other (fighting for the puck, hits, pushing, etc.), and the excitement they show when they score.
Fighting is a part of the intensity. What do you expect to happen when one of the players from the other team trips one of your teammates or boards them which can lead to an injury? Have they say "oh it's ok. You can do that to us." No, you expect them to stick up for themselves/teammates by showing they aren't going to let it continue happening which could lead a fight to breakout.
Am I showing support of fighting and violence? Absolutely not. But there is a time and place for everything and if the players don't fight on the ice when needed, when are they? Where are they going to take out their "anger"? Who knows?
Changing many different rules due to fighting could lead to other changes which can lead to a whole new sport without any intensity. What will it turn out to be? Players going back and forth to shoot the pucks in the goal? It could lead to boredom and less people interested in the sport.
But, to look in the other side of the argument - less fighting may bring more interest when there is a fight happening. Like take baseball fights for an example, they don't happen often but when they do - there's a lot of action going on and those videos get A LOT of views. So who knows? Less fighting may work in their favor??
Keeping fighting in the game lead to injury? Sure. Anything can lead to injury really. You could accidentally trip and injure your leg, arm, back, etc. You can't change the chance of injury. Someone is risked an injury at any point of the day of their lives.
What can be done to keep the intensity and fighting in the game (and not add more risk to injury)? Put a time limit on how long the players fight (if it's "real" one not a "planned" out one): Real meaning it happens right away and planned meaning drop the gloves and hold their hands up waiting to see who makes the first move (almost like boxing) (and they already put some type of time limit on those). If the fighting gets too out of hand, then immediately intervene (they do this now but it seems they get in too quickly).
Oh and another one would be for the athletes to be careful who they really piss off like an example, don't get on Jordin Tootoo's bad side.
This is one of Tootoo's recent fights against Brad Malone.
Credit: MSG+ and SomeHockeyVideos
I'm sure there are those who disagree with my side of the debate and I'm gladly to hear those thoughts out, as well hear from anyone who has any other ideas on how to keep the intensity in the game without the extra risks of injury.
Sound off in the comments below with your thoughts!
Until Next Time
CGoerlich <3
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