Ference tonight in Bruins game, Big Hit, Great Fight

[camhockey16 5]

im sure when ference went to make that hit he knew that someone might jump him afterwards... but that still didn't stop him.

i don't think a fight was necessary there - but i wasn't suprised because everyone knows their role and will answer the call and defend their teammates if something like that happens. at least it was a clean hit and no one was hurt - this would have been a whole different conversation if erat was injured from a dirty hit.

and as far as tim thomas goes - it may not always be pretty - but he has kept the b's in a ton of games so far this season by his unconventional plays and desperation saves - they can't really complain about him much.

[stick9 891]

I guess you miss the point of protecting your skill players. Sometimes that means calling a guy to task who lays one of your guys out. Clean or not, hits to your skill players should be answered.

Not a big fan of having guys for the sole purpose of protecting others. Also not a believer of the mindset that all skilled guys need protecting.

You believe that a body check (within the rules of the game) to certain players should be meet with actions that result in a penalty....possibly even an ejection? Nichol's looked like he could have drawn the instigator in that instance.

What next, beating the crap out of a guy because he just scored a goal. How about toughen up and and don't ask or expect your mates to drop the gloves every time someone touches you...

[chippa13 1844]

I guess you miss the point of protecting your skill players. Sometimes that means calling a guy to task who lays one of your guys out. Clean or not, hits to your skill players should be answered.

Not a big fan of having guys for the sole purpose of protecting others. Also not a believer of the mindset that all skilled guys need protecting.

You believe that a body check (within the rules of the game) to certain players should be meet with actions that result in a penalty....possibly even an ejection? Nichol's looked like he could have drawn the instigator in that instance.

What next, beating the crap out of a guy because he just scored a goal. How about toughen up and and don't ask or expect your mates to drop the gloves every time someone touches you...

Yes, because that is exactly what I meant. Seriously, do you guys try to not understand a point?

[bbruins8 0]

Yes, because that is exactly what I meant. Seriously, do you guys try to not understand a point?

I was thinking that when Salming first replied to the topic, that's why I chose not to respond anymore. Some people just like to downplay stuff as much as possible, and like to bicker, regardless of topic. These are probably the same people that end up sleeping on the couch after they have a disagreement with their significant other over T.V. remote posession.

[Jason Harris 31]

If I understand the point you made today, it seems like you are saying you don't want dissension -- we can respond in this topic as long as we agree with the two points you made when you started it. The problem is I only agree with one of the two points you originally made. I LOVE the big hit and completely agree it fires up the crowd. However, I HATE the fighting, although I completely agree it fires up the crowd.

Let's say you're correct, however, that I'm only bickering because I wish to downplay your point. One way you could prove that would be by showing I change my stance on topics randomly. Yet in three years, I've never deviated from my belief that the NHL shoots itself in the foot by tacitly encouraging fighting. The league caters to what it considers to be its core fan base, yet prevents its sport from gaining more widespread acceptance.

There's a reason it's become cliche to say, "I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out." The reason is perception is reality; in the NHL's case, the perception is it's a barbaric sport. Anyone who's played hockey knows that is far from the truth, although we also know it has a code of justice that is out of whack from other mainstream sports. While I acknowledge that the NFL bans fighting, I don't believe that plays a large part in why there are not fights -- at least, insofar as clean hits are concerned. The violence is accepted in the NFL, regardless who it is committed against, whereas the NHL's code is to not accept violence against its skill players. That's fine, but I believe the method in which they protect their skill players -- by condoning fighting -- only helps in keeping the NHL as a stepsister to the other sports,

[bbruins8 0]

If I understand the point you made today, it seems like you are saying you don't want dissension -- we can respond in this topic as long as we agree with the two points you made when you started it. The problem is I only agree with one of the two points you originally made. I LOVE the big hit and completely agree it fires up the crowd. However, I HATE the fighting, although I completely agree it fires up the crowd.

Let's say you're correct, however, that I'm only bickering because I wish to downplay your point. One way you could prove that would be by showing I change my stance on topics randomly. Yet in three years, I've never deviated from my belief that the NHL shoots itself in the foot by tacitly encouraging fighting. The league caters to what it considers to be its core fan base, yet prevents its sport from gaining more widespread acceptance.

There's a reason it's become cliche to say, "I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out." The reason is perception is reality; in the NHL's case, the perception is it's a barbaric sport. Anyone who's played hockey knows that is far from the truth, although we also know it has a code of justice that is out of whack from other mainstream sports. While I acknowledge that the NFL bans fighting, I don't believe that plays a large part in why there are not fights -- at least, insofar as clean hits are concerned. The violence is accepted in the NFL, regardless who it is committed against, whereas the NHL's code is to not accept violence against its skill players. That's fine, but I believe the method in which they protect their skill players -- by condoning fighting -- only helps in keeping the NHL as a stepsister to the other sports,

You have got to be kidding me man...seriously you are against fighting in the NHL? I live in Florida, a place where hockey isn't all that big. People down here that couldn't even name team outside the Southeast division LOVE to watch hockey/go to games to see bare fisted punches thrown by Andre Roy. They aren't the true hockey fans like us who have been around it forever, but fighting HELPS the NHL more than you know. I like fighting because it sparks up the crowd, gets them behind their team even more, and sparks up the benches. Hate to say it but you are the serious, serious minority here.

Do you think that the people that watched the Winter Classic on National Television, who weren't hockey fans to begin with, would remember Crosby bouncing the puck around on his stick more than a brawl between Laraque and Peters had it happened? I don't think so, ponder that one for a minute. Fights draw fans (whether you consider them the right type of fan base or not), and money. Anyone that doesn't see this might as well be blind and deaf all at once. So if you think that fighting and protecting skilled players resulting in fighting keeps hockey as the low sport on the totem pole, you are sadly mistaken. I can't pinpoint or target the reason why hockey is not as popular as it once was, but I can tell you that I am certain that fighting actually helps the sport.

[Jason Harris 31]

This is where we have to respectfully agree to disagree.

I grew up watching Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins. I LOVED the fighting. Total, bench clearing brawls with every glove and stick on the ice. Terry O'Reilly was my favorite player. Later in the decade, it was amazing when Wensinck challenged the entire Canadiens' bench, while he and Stan Jonathan worked over the Habs.

I'm just like the next guy; I'll get out of my seat to watch a fight. I'm quite aware it puts a charge in the crowd, but that doesn't mean I want to see it. Or, let me rephrase that. If I see two guys willing to go toe to toe, knowing they'll be suspended X number of games, yet thinking the fight was worth it, hey, I'm all for it. But when the NHL effectively endorses fighting, at the expense of viewership on TV, then I'm totally against it.

You may be right that some people would remember a Laraque/Peters fight more than the game itself, but the more important question is who DIDN'T watch it? Attendance has increased while TV ratings have decreased, so, on the surface, it's smart for the NHL to nudge fighting for its core fans. But the real money (and stability) in sports comes from TV dollars. And the big TV dollars comes from appealing to multiple age, gender and socioeconomic demographics. The NFL and MLB have broad appeal, while the NHL doesn't.

Why?

How many people have you met who are surprised you like hockey? They generally have never watched a game themselves, have they? They've just heard it's a brutal sport and never bothered to learn it's the greatest sport out there. In my opinion, until the NHL states it is going to ban fighting -- and isn't the NHL the only hockey league in the world which doesn't give suspensions for fighting? -- it's not going to attract this huge majority of potential, new viewers.

[DarkStar50 679]

Salming buddy, we both go back to watching those Sunday afternoon CBS games with Dan Kelly screaming, "Here comes Orr!!" Those were the Big Bad Bruins at their best and worst. If Orr didn't destroy you end-to-end, then MacKenzie and the third line took care of you in the corners. We don't need to read me repeating the history of fighting in the NHL through the last 40 years. It will only serve as a reminder to mack that I have seen more hockey than him since I am old.

Kids start playing hockey for two reasons. The first is because their fathers played and Dad gets them started. The other reason is because they see the game on TV and like the speed and excitement. They want to play the game and don't let the fighting stop them from starting. Right or wrong, fighting is part of the culture of hockey. I don't see it ever being banned from the game.

[Theo 1]

Just read a few tidbits here. Would be a disgrace if the NHL ever banned fighting- Slap in the face to the history of the game and to the players and so much more. I would say there are some "fans" out there who ONLY tune in for the fighting and hockey would be worst off for not having it because that would certainly alienate some of the old hard core guys or pure fight fans. It would not create new fans, that is for sure. Whether we like it or not, this culture enjoys a good fight once in a while and some violance in movies is certainly not a deterrant either

[Chadd 916]

I've never been against the fights where one guy get s fed up with the cheap shots and drops the gloves with the person who has been antagonizing him all night. Those fights make sense to me. Having a guy on the team whose sole job is to fight the other teams designated goon in a semi-scheduled fight is just asinine to me. Nothing worse than watching say a Leafs - Rangers game and having it interrupted by a Wade Belak - Colton Orr fight/wrestling match that has nothing to do with the flow of the game.

[TBLfan 25]

I agree. But at the same time how awesome is it when you hear:

"Hey, wanna duke?"

"Sure"

"Puck drop, Square off?"

"Yeah"

"Good luck"

[bbruins8 0]

I've never been against the fights where one guy get s fed up with the cheap shots and drops the gloves with the person who has been antagonizing him all night. Those fights make sense to me. Having a guy on the team whose sole job is to fight the other teams designated goon in a semi-scheduled fight is just asinine to me. Nothing worse than watching say a Leafs - Rangers game and having it interrupted by a Wade Belak - Colton Orr fight/wrestling match that has nothing to do with the flow of the game.

Yeah but I never said anything about a scheduled fight. My original post included a link to a fight that broke out between two guys that don't throw them often, and it was a great bout. Nobody likes to see two guys dance around each other for 45 seconds before throwing two punches and wrestling down, not even myself...although I believe it still helps the sport.

[Chadd 916]

I agree. But at the same time how awesome is it when you hear:

"Hey, wanna duke?"

"Sure"

"Puck drop, Square off?"

"Yeah"

"Good luck"

Actually, that bores me. Why in the hell would I want to watch McGratton and Orr square off when I could be watching Bergeron, Kessel, Alfie, Spezza and Heatley?

[TBLfan 25]

Look at it from my perspective. How would you like to watch Richards fight? I've seen it, not fun, more sad than anything else.

Overall, I'd rather see the team score more and get scored on less BUT at the same time I would rather see Obie drop the gloves over Richards.

[ean 0]

Well shoot, and to the this whole time I thought I was on this board with other HOCKEY players...

This is why you have guys designated to fight and you don't let your skill players fight:

[chippa13 1844]

I agree. But at the same time how awesome is it when you hear:

"Hey, wanna duke?"

"Sure"

"Puck drop, Square off?"

"Yeah"

"Good luck"

Actually, that bores me. Why in the hell would I want to watch McGratton and Orr square off when I could be watching Bergeron, Kessel, Alfie, Spezza and Heatley?

Hold the phone!!!! Who said anything about anyone wanting Colton Orr back with the B's?????

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

I dont see anything wrong with what Nichols did...he was just sticking up for erat.....sweet hit, nice fight 'nough said

[psh 25]

I agree. But at the same time how awesome is it when you hear:

"Hey, wanna duke?"

"Sure"

"Puck drop, Square off?"

"Yeah"

"Good luck"

Actually, that bores me. Why in the hell would I want to watch McGratton and Orr square off when I could be watching Bergeron, Kessel, Alfie, Spezza and Heatley?

Hear! Hear!

[Jason Harris 31]

I dont see anything wrong with what Nichols did...he was just sticking up for erat.....sweet hit, nice fight 'nough said

But what did he have to stick up for?

Erat had the puck, Ference hit him cleanly. And Erat is bigger than Ference, so it's not as though Ference was picking on a little guy.

If Erat had his head up, then Nichols wouldn't be sticking up for him against the guy who hit him cleanly.

[chippa13 1844]

Is the idea of protecting skill players really so foreign?

[Jason Harris 31]

That's where we apparently disagree,

You seem to think it's okay to protect the skill players because it's been going on forever, whereas I only think they need to be protected if an injustice has occurred. Erat was not aware enough of his surroundings to prevent being hit, so he has to take as much blame in this as anyone.

Let's look at this another way. If Chara had hit Erat like that, would Nichols have gone after him? I doubt it.

[Trudy14 0]

I agree. But at the same time how awesome is it when you hear:

"Hey, wanna duke?"

"Sure"

"Puck drop, Square off?"

"Yeah"

"Good luck"

Good example, http://youtube.com/watch?v=nvIK-FLJgn4 (need audio)