Fighting in Men's League Hockey

[number21 3]

all this talk and I almost ended up in a low level beer league fight last night! asshat shot the puck on my goalie waaaaay after the whistle so I shoved him and told him not to do that. he lost his sh*t and baseball swing style slashed me across the thighs. I shoved him again and he got up in my face telling me not to shove him. I was just about to haul off and punch him when I realized how stupid that would be and glued my arms to my side. two minute penalties for both of us. he should've gotten more for the slash but I'm not sure the ref saw it as we were far away from everyone else.

I have seen this type of thing a few times. One guy tried to hit the puck off our goalies stomach (he was flat on his back) and about 3 of our guys and one of his own team pushed him away and told him to chill out in various ways. His response "Anything for a goal."

[Vulcan7905 88]

I have seen this type of thing a few times. One guy tried to hit the puck off our goalies stomach (he was flat on his back) and about 3 of our guys and one of his own team pushed him away and told him to chill out in various ways. His response "Anything for a goal."

That might be the goal that lands him the sweet NHL contract though!

[skeeter14 0]

In the leagues around me, If you fight it's the following:

- A 5 min. major, and possibly a 10 or Game Misconduct.

- The instigator can earn a 1 game suspension

- If it is their second fight, the league heads review it, and whether or not they earn a 2 game suspension, or are kicked out of the league all together.

Seems like a fair way of handling everything, IMO.

[theGhost 0]

This

Anybody who fights in men's league is either trying to compensate for something they lack or insecure about, or they are messed in the head and just want to get into a fight for the hell of it. The 3 people in the stands (mostly wives and kids) don't need to see an insurance salesman and a construction worker go at it. Besides that, its a liability if someone gets into a fight and gets beat cause regardless of whether the rink claims no liability, the rink and league does not want to deal with a lawsuit.

PS - Bridgewater arena sucks

This. LOL who fights in a beer league... Er wait when I was 20 I was that guy. Thank God for growing up...

[JamesCL 2]

This. LOL who fights in a beer league... Er wait when I was 20 I was that guy. Thank God for growing up...

Fighting in a beer league is stupid.

Just 2 months ago, there was a speedy jr.a kid playing on the opposition. With minimal contact, I rode him out on the boards and stole the puck from him. Some psychopathic 6"5 guy charged at me when I already had passed the puck off and tried to hit me, I didn't back down and I leaned into him to, then proceeded for a line change. As I'm getting onto the bench I get a cheap shot and buddy tries to fight me, all the while going berserk and practically fighting the refs. I left my gloves on and just wrestled/defended myself.

Result for him: a game misconduct and a 4 game suspension.

Result for me: a fat bloody swollen nose, in which I had to present to my office and my employers.

Guy a rode out, came up to me and said man that was a good play, I dont know what buddies deal is.

Moral of story: Fighting is stupid, pointless and not worth it at the end of the day. And really ruins the fun for the rest of the people playing.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Fighting, cheap shots, etc. really are inexcusable in a beer league. Took a two-hander to the shoulder blade for getting tangled up on the blue line earlier in the game and then cross-checked from behind after while standing after a whistle with a minute left a few weeks ago. Have a nice big scar from the slash. I'm normally a mellow dude, but this had me fuming. Beer league hockey's for fun and exercise. I kind of wonder how miserable these guys' lives are that they feel it's acceptable.

[BenderHockey 127]

Fighting, cheap shots, etc. really are inexcusable in a beer league. Took a two-hander to the shoulder blade for getting tangled up on the blue line earlier in the game and then cross-checked from behind after while standing after a whistle with a minute left a few weeks ago. Have a nice big scar from the slash. I'm normally a mellow dude, but this had me fuming. Beer league hockey's for fun and exercise. I kind of wonder how miserable these guys' lives are that they feel it's acceptable.

Being as this was probably at the Ice House, more than likely nothing will happen about it, and the same refs will make the same nonsense calls next week.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Being as this was probably at the Ice House, more than likely nothing will happen about it, and the same refs will make the same nonsense calls next week.

Nothing will happen. The cross check seriously almost broke my back. Just know to have my guard up if we play them again. It's funny, 18 years of playing hockey and I've experienced and seen more nonsense in beer league than I did throughout competitive hockey.

[shaundizzle15 2]

Have to agree with most of these posts, I've been in a few scraps in mens league roller when I was 19-20. Its ridiculous and got my ass handed to me by a former marine lol. As for ice been close a few times but luckily it hasn't happened yet. It never ceases to amaze me at the shit that goes down. Had a couple of guys follow my dad and I to our car and wanted to fight us until they saw that we werent putting our sticks down and the rink manager's running after them to stop them.

[Vinny_R 1]

I play in a men's league and when you drop your mitts, you are out for the season. There was a big issue in post leagues so when they created the league, the put this rule on. Fighting in rec league is wrong but I did it. You plays a lot against the same guys and some dirty plays happens and I tend to defend myself. I remember a tournament where a guy on my team dropped his mitts in the first game, then got kicked out it. After the game, the guy that was organisating the tournament enter in the locker room, went straight up to my teammate and gave him a 100$ bill for his fight. After that, the tournament went out of control hahaha!

[BenderHockey 127]

Nothing will happen. The cross check seriously almost broke my back. Just know to have my guard up if we play them again. It's funny, 18 years of playing hockey and I've experienced and seen more nonsense in beer league than I did throughout competitive hockey.

Because in some beer leagues, like the Ice House, the league director doesn't get involved the way he should, and lets incompetent referees officiate games, when they don't have the knowledge on how to run a game, or even a basic grasp of the rules.

Sad, but true.

[My Other Car Is A DeLorean 0]

Dont get me wrong, I love fights in NHL or Minor league professionals. But fighting in a kids, teen, or adult league is pathetic. It makes me laugh when I see kids or roller hockey players trying to duke it out and it just turns into a wrestling match.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Because in some beer leagues, like the Ice House, the league director doesn't get involved the way he should, and lets incompetent referees officiate games, when they don't have the knowledge on how to run a game, or even a basic grasp of the rules.

Sad, but true.

I've found it to be a mixed bag. Some games just keep escalating, then it's no fun. I know a lot of the refs there, good guys for the most part. Also depends which team you're playing against and at what level. I see a lot less b.s. at higher levels than I do the lower. I have maybe 2-3 games year-round where I'm just utterly disgusted with what went on. And it's usually the same teams, same players. Otherwise, I really can't complain. I really like that they increased games suspended for fighting to three and it has toned down, but I've also noticed more reluctance hand out a fighting penalty. It's men's league hockey, if you're taking it so seriously that you purposely try to injure someone whether fighting, cheapshots, etc., you have to take a step back and realize, especially at the lower levels, everyone's out there to have fun, get some exercise and you should knock it off. If you can't keep a lid on it, take a breather, figure out what in your life is making you that miserable.

[Cams 7]

One of the reasons why I quit the one local beer leagues about 7 or 8 years ago here is because of the stupidity of fighting, etc. It was basically 1 or 2 teams each year (same team(s)). Keep in mind the game times were 9,10, or 11AM on a Sunday. This one guy on the one team was a nut case! Apparently at one time was considered the toughest guy in jr. C in the county. But that was 10 years prior to playing in this league.... He would more often than not try to start fights. He even went so far as to have a "G" put on his jersey where the "C" or "A" would go to signify....... yep.... goon. He would intimidation to it's fullest extension. Plus, half that team were smoking up big time before their games. I never really had a problem with the guy, but the concept of why he was doing this stuff in a Sunday AM rec league was beyond me. I think there was a 1 game ban for first fight, then 3 for second fight, then rest of year for third, if it was enforced. Not sure what the rules are now, as this complex has changed management more than is comprehendable. I did know a guy on my team who did fight a guy once, and messed his opponent up pretty bad. But still - you gotta think...is it really worth it or necessary?

Anyways - fighting in a rec league (especially low level) should be banned. As most have said, guys have to get up for work the next day, and have jobs, family, etc to concern their lives with. I never did it, would probably avoid it at almost all costs. Not paying lots of money for that!

[Law Goalie 147]

The only justifiable beer league fight I've ever seen was instigated by a racial slur, and my god did that guy ever get what was coming to him: the refs heard him, watched what was happening, then just stepped back and let the other guy tee off on him. Not quite as satisfying as the time I watched two of my defenceman (one of whom went on to be a 1st-rounder, the other a career AHL goon, both of whom were already enormous) take apart a guy who called one of our black teammates a _________ (fill in the blank), which ranks as the proudest moment for the hockey code in my entire life, but still, it was fun to watch, with comparable amounts of righteous bloodshed and wonderful squealing.

[tareatingrat 4]

^^^

Some people just need to be tuned-up.

Personally, I don't like fighting in the NHL, and I don't think it's necessary in beer leagues.

That said, I think I'm one of the few people who believes that fighting does resolve some issues.

[str8prostock 1]

All you guys have great points, you shouldn't be fighting in a non contact low level beer league.Thats not what anyone is there for if you want to fight join a boxing gym and get off the ice A competitive checking league with Ex Jr players and college guys is one thing. The worst part is the officials when their is a fight they have no idea what to do and sometimes that makes it worse.

[Zombies #77 10]

Last night during our beginner league game we faced a team with people who played juniors, college, and former high school players. My team has beginners and people who have played only rec hockey with no other experience. (Mind you this is a beginner league) They were kicking our asses (end score 11-1) We play to have fun, but these guys were playing dirty all night long and when on the rare occasion we were able to take the puck from them, they got really pissed and started swinging sticks, checking (non-check league) and getting real dirty, with only 1 ref it was hard for him to keep up with everything. Near the end we had the puck in their zone and one of there guys decided to attack our guy because he stole the puck from him. I went in to break it up and put the guy in a headlock to get him away. Somehow we ended up on the ice with him on top of me wrenching on my mask, twisting my neck in unatural ways. He had my helmet so twisted the chin part of my cage cut my upper cheak , cut my mouth up, and gave me a bloody lip. The ref was too busy trying to beak up 2 other scuffles that were taking place that he wasn't able to get him off from me. Having not want to get my neck broken and face messed up anymore I did the only thing I could think of doing at the time to get free (I won't disclose what I did to get free, but it had nothing to do with his junk) and he ended up getting some stiches. Rec hockey is my passion and I play to have fun. If you can beat us 11-1 that's fine if your classy and aren't dicks about it I will still have some fun, but when people start taking it over the top and trying to hurt myself and/or my teamates continuously throughout a game I take exception and won't stand for it. I went to work today with a very sore neck and face, not something I want to do again. I emailed the league coordinator today to hopefully get some things changed.

[getthekidthepuck 32]

Fighting in mens league hockey should be handled by the police. Assault is assualt. The fact that it happens on a hockey rink shouldnt justify it. I take a harld stance as i have seen some crazy stuff durings beer league hockey.

[mug25 2]

Most adult recreational leagues that I've seen prohibit fighting, and it is generally handled with a game misconduct and a 1-3 game suspension.

This is pretty much how most leagues around here do it.

Even if it was allowed — Fighting in beer league is retarded. Most guys wear cages. Punching a cage is dumb on your part. Most guys don't even drop their gloves, it's a tugging and pulling match with a punch or two thrown.

[IPv6Freely 2094]

We had a couple Friday night.

We were down 2-1 to a team who came down from a division above us because they wanted a "more fun, less competitive" league. So they pretty much destroy every team they play, and really don't seem to be there just for fun. Kind of ruins a div5 league...

Anyway, apparently they were doing broomball or something after our game (our game ended at about 11:30...) and so just as the 3rd period starts, the building is FLOODED by tweens and teens. Stands completely full. At one point a couple kids ask one of our D-men what our team name is... he yells "MOOSE!" and makes antlers with his gloved hands. Apparently the kids got a kick out of this, and the ENTIRE CROWD started chanting "GO MOOSE GO" and doing the wave and stuff. It was insane, we couldn't hear each other on the ice it was so loud.

We tied it up, and the crowd went insane. It was absolutely surreal. Our bench has never been so fired up!

With just over 2 minutes left, we were on a PK, they were really pressing, and we were pretty content to just get out of there with a tie. But then one of our guys was sprung on half-breakaway, went in and scored. I *think* the goalie may have been distracted because at the same time, this guys older brother had dropped the mitts with somebody on their team, apparently he had given our guy a nice two handed baseball bat style slash (I didnt see it... I was watching the goal). So while the crowd is going nuts from the goal, this fight breaks out, our guy pounds the other guy... whatever. It was 1 on 1, no big deal. We were up 3-2 with 22 seconds left in the game.

Next faceoff, we ice it... and for some reason the refs call it (our guy got 5+2, theirs got 5... and it was a 6 on 4 on the ice because of the goalie out...). So 3 seconds left on the clock, faceoff in our own end. Our D-Man gets a hold of it and throws it out of the zone, just as he gets absolutely jumped by this idiot who starts pounding away. (Likely retaliation for the last time we played these guys, when the same kid jumped the same d-man and got his ass beat down). So again, our d-man beats this kid down pretty bad...

With it being 6 on 4 on the ice, I almost jumped on, but saw the ref looking at me and decided it wasnt worth the suspension. So I'm sitting on the top of the boards watching all this, both feet over on the ice side of the boards. As the old man I'd been chirping all night skates by I just yell "looks like you DONT still have it, old man" (earlier, he had told me hes "still got it" and that hed "destroy me"). He skates towards me, figuring he'd just get in my face and start chirping... and instead cross checks me into the bench backwards... big scrum after that with my teammates... I have my gloves and helmet off, but he runs off to the room. Whatever, it probably wouldnt have ended well for him anyway. Probably for the best.

Anyway, the crazy part is we're not even a chippy team, let alone a dirty team. We rarely get penalties, let alone get in fights. But these idiots who are clearly in the wrong league just have this thing with starting shit. Fighting in an adult league is obviously stupid.. but a combination of the crowd noise, the adrenaline from the tight game (and us scoring late to win it) and them being in the wrong league and having that idiot on their team (same friggin kid every time)... and it just went south.

That being said, I'm pretty sure those teens got a pretty good show :) And I know as a player, I'll probably never ever participate in a game that exciting again!

[Tubesteak 1]

Last night during our beginner league game we faced a team with people who played juniors, college, and former high school players. My team has beginners and people who have played only rec hockey with no other experience. (Mind you this is a beginner league) They were kicking our asses (end score 11-1) ...

WTF?! I can't imagine even skating at 50% or even trying to score without feeling like a total dbag in this situation let alone going after someone in this situation.

[Zombies #77 10]

WTF?! I can't imagine even skating at 50% or even trying to score without feeling like a total dbag in this situation let alone going after someone in this situation.

It's the worst ran league I have ever been in. There are 2 teams who can keep up with us and 3 teams that kill us (10+ goals for them and 0-2 goals for us) and of the 3 teams that continually beat us bad, 2 of them are full of D-bags who play dirty and always want to start shit. The other team is a nice group of guys, they'll bury us in the 1st and take it easy for the rest of the game. I have tried to let the league coordinator know our frustrations, but after several email attempts and phone calls throughout the season without a reply back it's very frustrating. They actually did change the schedule 1/2 way through the season to accomadate the weaker teams, unfortunatly the other 2 teams were weaker than ours and they got any easy schedule, but ours got harder. Needless to say we are moving to a different rink next season.

[danno25nh 3]

We had a couple Friday night.

With it being 6 on 4 on the ice, I almost jumped on,

As the old man I'd been chirping all night skates by I just yell "looks like you DONT still have it, old man"

I have my gloves and helmet off,

Fighting in an adult league is obviously stupid..

So you're self professed worst skater in the league, in a beginners league, and you "Chirp an old man all night", Take off your gloves and helmet to draw someone into a fight, and then claim fighting s stupid?

I haven't fought on the ice in many years but guys that want to act tough occasionally need a butt kicking. I have invited youngsters with your attitude to meet me at the gym and step into the ring with me.

You might try telling your opponents something like, "great move last shift" instead of chirping. Otherwise you risk a serious beating either fighting or a cheap shot behind the play. Many "old guys" played a lot of years of full contact and know how to inflict a lot of pain. Guys that came to the game late often skate with their head down, especially at your level. Chirping and talking crap might get painful.

[jconc1941 0]

at my college ncaa they threaten to take away your scholar ships. def can result in some bad things lol