Pucks and Punches
March 22, 2007 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Columns
The recent injuries in the National Hockey League, whether from fights or otherwise, have caused quite a stir around the news world in the past few days.
I thought it would be a practical exercise to gather a few of the pertinent stories and list them all in one place. Take a look at what the media has turned out on the subject:
ESPN wonders if Todd Fedoruk can play again this season after taking a knockout punch to the face from New York’s Colton Orr?
Chris Simon, suspended for 25 games for a vicious hit during a game against the rival New York Rangers, will not face criminal charges according to ESPN.
Mirtle’s thoughts on Fedoruk- Let’s hope he’s okay. He has had an extremely difficult season, as he had his orbital bone shattered in an earlier fight with Derek Boogaard. It’s generally when I see incidents like this that I ponder just what the value of fighting in the NHL is. Given the way public sentiment has slowly started to move that way, I wouldn’t be surprised to see scraps become a 10-minute or game.
In an interview from the Philadelphia Flyers, Simon Gagne attributed the Fedoruk incident to “Bad Luck.
Checking Line is certain that someone will get seriously injured or even killed if fighting doesn’t stop in the National Hockey League.
Colin Campbell visits the question of whether it is time for fighting to be eliminated from the game.
Waiting for Stanley has a highly passionate recap of the TSN analysts take on the the Fedoruk versus Orr Fight. I highly suggest that you read his thoughts.
Zanstorm on Thu, 22nd Mar 2007 10:36 pm
I just snapped today over all the hype. I hate knee-jerk reactions, especially when it comes to the sport that I am passionate about.
This is only going to get worse, especially now with another guy getting his orbital bone broken in a fight tonight. Yeesh.
But I stand by my opinions. I love the toughness in the game. I love fights! I am not alone! I have no problem accepting fighting in the game at the expense of concussions and broken orbital bones. Doesn’t bother me one bit.
Tyler on Fri, 23rd Mar 2007 8:33 am
Zan,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.
You are completely correct. The knee-jerk reactions seem to fade after some time in other sports, but as hockey injuries continue to pile up, there will surely be continued discussion about it.
I’m all for toughness in the game too, but I think that eventually someone will be seriously injured.
bLiNdLuCk on Fri, 23rd Mar 2007 10:42 am
I’ve got no problem with fighting in hockey. It’s the two weeks after the fact revenge crap that makes me shake my head.
The Todd Fedoruk vs Colton Orr fight occurred 21 seconds into the game and was a result of a game incident (the Brendan Shanahan injury) that happened 15 games prior. The Wade Belak vs Cam Janssen fight was the same way. And the fight that will occur on Sunday night between Ben Eager and either Aaron Asham or Brendan Witt will again be the same thing.
I got no problems with two guys going at it because of something that happened during the game, it’s the coldly calculated 2 weeks later center ice dance that I am fed up with.