There has been a lot of discussion about whether or not fighting has any place in hockey. I don't think any serious hockey fans want to see the game look like the plot of the movie "Slapshot," and most fans go to see a great game being played by skilled competitors. That said, fighting, while not really part of the game, has its place. In the leagues where fighting is not allowed at all, there is more dirty play. There is more elbowing, cross checking, tripping, boarding, slashing, high sticking, hooking, and roughing. The fighting actually ensures overall cleaner play because the guys who are inclined to make those dirty plays know that they will have to face the other team's enforcer. Additionally, fighting right then and there ends it right then and there. The next time those teams meet, there won't be the need to retaliate for that dirty hit in their last game. In the United States Hockey League fighting earns each player a 5 minute penalty plus 10 minutes for misconduct. After a certain number of fights, a player receives a suspension. I'm ok with that. It's a way to crack down on the fighting while still acknowledging that it does serve a purpose in the game. As a fan, I love a good clean game, and I'd much rather see some great skating, finesse with the puck, hard but clean hits, and great goaltending. A clean game is a better game. The best way to keep the game clean, however, is to acknowledge the place of fighting.

Opinions?

I agree and I like the way the game is right now. The new rule changes curtailed fighting but did not eliminate it, and in the playoffs fighting is pretty close to over because ever since they widened the rink and made room for the skilled European players the power play can kill you because the scoring is up.

What sucks,
is paying perfectly good money to see the fights, and a hockey game breaks out in the middle of it.

I'll never forget growing up, my father liked to watch the N.Y Rangers on T.V. They had a guy on the team, big guy.. squared jawed (forgot his name) who could barely skate.. never really played in a game only sent out there to " payback" a opposing player. Then back to the bench.

He played for the Rangers for about 3 years and I never saw him lose a fight

He was basically a thug with ice skates on... cracked me up.

My favorite team is the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. A couple former Fighting Saints you may know are Zemgus Girgensons of the Buffalo Sabres and Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames, and there are many other former USHL players currently in the NHL, so it's not just some nothing league. They play quality hockey. Several of the coaches are former NHL players. Matt Shaw, who was an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils a couple years ago is coaching the Saints now. Anyway, we have a player who isn't the best skater, but he is a great enforcer who will stand up for his teammates. One of our star players took a dirty hit last weekend that took him out of the game. It was an illegal check to the head. As soon as the Green Bay player who made that hit came out of the penalty box, our enforcer was all over him. That particular fight was perfectly justified, but that game was the kind of circus that makes people stereotype hockey as just fighting on skates. There were 6 fights in that game. That's making a mockery of a great game. But considering Green Bay is in last place and the Saints are fighting for a playoff spot, and we haven't had a fight since, and Green Bay just had another slugfest with Muskegon, who is also a playoff contender, I think it's safe to say it's probably the team with nothing to lose trying to play spoiler. Fighting has its place, but when a game has more penalty minutes than playing minutes because of the fights, you no longer have a hockey game. You now have the Royal Rumble on ice.

Women watch hockey for the hot hockey players.

I have to say my first hockey fight brought me out of my seat. The game is fast paced and exciting in it's self, but a good bench clearing brawl is the best.

Have to say I'm in favor.

Always loved watching Bob Probert come off the bench for the Red Wings and give a beat down.

I actually like the fighting

Everyone loves a good hockey fight. I just think that most serious fans don't want the sport to turn into "Slapshot." As I said in my original post, fighting, ironically, keeps the game clean.

I am with you all the way Scoob, Number 24 could keep the peace for sure.

Wouldn't have liked to have had a fight with Trevor Hockeya Sheffield united footballer of the 70's That's one hockey fight you wouldn't want to get into. Google him and you will see why!!

I like the way hockey is. The hot men are just a bonus. I truly enjoy a good fight, especially the one when Roy got his butt handed to him by Ozzy In '98.

hockey is great the way it is, i wouldn't want to see anyone fighting for "ratings", but if they just don't like each other and feel the need, then even better.

went to see a fight and a hockey game broke out,,,whats up with that?

Must have been hard if they still had their gloves on?

Slapshot was filmed in my hometown, so I am a little biased.

The skill level of the players has made a huge jump and that is why the game is better not the stupid rule changes.

If some big dude comes along and cracks his stick over my arm you can damn well bet I am breaking mine over his head.

If you don't want to see men playing a rough sport watch women's field hockey.

i love hockey fights, the only thing that ticks me off about it is if any normal person does that your gettin slapped with a felony and going to prison. im not trying to say hockey shouldnt have fights, im saying the law should just let people duke it out once in a while. as long as its a clean fight who cares, men are men and they get into fights sometimes. its just irritates me that if i do it its a crime, if a hockey player does it in entertainment, or sport or w/e you classify it as.