Re: NY Times - Fighting Could Be Eliminated in Amateur Hockey in US and Canada
Let's stick to college hockey.
Cheap hits, which are historically the cause of more serious injuries than fighting, are not called in a significant number of occurrences. Fighting is ALWAYS called, traditionally without regard to aggressor or victim. If and when a cheap shot is called the culprit is penalized to no greater and often to a lesser degree than both the aggressor (and the victim) in a fight. How does this support the conclusion that penalties for fighting should be increased? Are the sensibilities of fans offended by fights more important than the safety of the players? If not, the sanctions against dangerous cheap hits (not fighting) need to be strengthened BEFORE such hits cause permanent harm. Otherwise bring in the cops, the lawyers, and the judges.
Let's stick to college hockey.
Cheap hits, which are historically the cause of more serious injuries than fighting, are not called in a significant number of occurrences. Fighting is ALWAYS called, traditionally without regard to aggressor or victim. If and when a cheap shot is called the culprit is penalized to no greater and often to a lesser degree than both the aggressor (and the victim) in a fight. How does this support the conclusion that penalties for fighting should be increased? Are the sensibilities of fans offended by fights more important than the safety of the players? If not, the sanctions against dangerous cheap hits (not fighting) need to be strengthened BEFORE such hits cause permanent harm. Otherwise bring in the cops, the lawyers, and the judges.
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