Hockey fights are pretty common, but they usually only cause a bit of amusement for the viewers at first. After all, who wants to get to the point where a bunch of grown men are scrapping over a small piece of ice? It’s not exactly exciting television.
But what if I told you there was a way to make those fights matter, a way to make the stakes feel real? What if I told you that through proper management and the right tools, you could take a game that used to be just a laugh and turn it into a real struggle, a game that both fighters would be feeling the pain of?
I think you’d agree that having a stable environment where everyone is trying their best not to hurt each other is essential if you want to grow as a group. So let’s explore a few reasons why NHL refs don’t always stop fights, and what you can do about it.
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Hockey Is A Contact Sport
It may come as a surprise to learn that hockey is a contact sport. After all, how can a team sport have rules against contact? Well, the simple fact is that hockey is not a team sport, it is a fight sport. Fighting is part of the game and is encouraged by the referee. In fact, you’ll often hear referees say things like, “Clean hits, but no fighting!” or “Stay with it! You can always fight later.”
So while there is a certain element of teamwork and sticking together that is present in hockey, the fact remains that once the puck drops and the gloves come off, your team is pitted against another team and the only thing that matters is who is going to come out on top. Sometimes that means fighting and using your strength to win the battle. Sometimes that means just letting your wits and skill set prevail.
It’s also important to note here that while most people think of a hockey fight as something that happens between two much bigger men, that is actually quite rare. In all honesty, the vast majority of hockey fights take place between two closely matched opponents. This is particularly evident when you consider all the smaller teams that have been around for a while and have developed their fair share of tough guys. But even the biggest teams have their share of instigators that love nothing more than to get in a fight and the last thing their managers want is to get their star player suspended for the season.
Hockey Is A Physical Sport
One of the other big reasons why referees don’t always stop fights in hockey is because it is a physically demanding game. Not only does it require a lot of skating, but it also requires a lot of hitting. This is one reason why fights are rarely seen in hockey unless the games are close and the intensity is through the roof. But even then, the hits just keep coming. A big part of hockey culture is showing the proper amount of pain you are willing to endure in order to succeed.
While it might surprise you to learn that fighting is a part of hockey, it shouldn’t. After all, it’s a game that was designed to be aggressive and physical. When you consider all the hits that take place throughout a typical game, it’s not hard to see how that part of the sport was inspired by football. But unlike football, where players are protected by large gloves and padding, hockey players are completely exposed and have no such protection save for the thin sheet of ice that covers the floor of the rink. This means that hits are far more common in hockey than in football, where the risk of injury is greatly diminished thanks to the protective measures used by the players. And, as we’ve established, fighting is a part of hockey and is always encouraged by the referees.
Another thing that is unique to hockey is the fight song. In hockey, there is a unique song that all the players have to learn by heart. When the team hits a milestone, such as getting a certain number of points or winning a particular game, the players have to stand in unison and sing the fight song. And it’s not just a song, it’s an entire routine! I’ve seen players literally tackle each other in order to make the next hit in the fight song.
So while there is a certain element of coordination that is required in hockey, as soon as the puck drops and the gloves come off, the brutality that takes place is truly remarkable. And it doesn’t just stop at the puck, each player is taking shots from every angle and trying their best to end the fight in a hurry!
Hockey Is A Psychological Game
Lastly, let’s not forget about the psychological game that is a big part of hockey. Think about all the trash-talking and the taunting that goes on during the game. How much would trash-talking and psychological games factor into the fights that happen between the skaters?
You won’t be surprised to learn that intimidation and going all out are also important parts of the sport. In fact, many hockey players have stated that the game is about not showing mercy and being the best you can be at all times. This means that the players get in each other’s faces all game long, trying to psych each other out and keep their intensity up all the time. Even the smallest players know how to play the game and use their physical stature to intimidate the opposition.
This also means that fights are an important part of the game for the same reason that they are common. It’s a way for the players to let off steam, a way to express themselves, and it’s a way for the fans to get involved in the action. So while fights might not always be pretty to look at, they are necessary evils in the grand scheme of things.
And that’s really what we have here. These are just a few of the reasons why hockey fights are such an important part of the game. Like I said at the start, the fights are usually just a bit of fun and amusement for the spectators at first, but when you realize the impact that they can have on the game you are literally playing, you may find that you want them to stop. But until then, enjoy the show!