So You Want to take Fighting out of Hockey? Still......?

As I wrote about last week, one of the hot button topics as it relates to the NHL is the possibility of taking fighting away. The George Parros incident had many questioning the validity of fighting, and sought to avoid future brain injuries by banning fighting. At the time I also spoke of the need to keep fighting in the game. Part of my rationale was to keep all players accountable for their actions on the ice.

With that in mind, two of the league's finest (tongue in cheek) put on full display why fighting should NOT be taken out of the game. Both Patrick Kaleta and Max Lapierre are facing harsh suspensions from the NHL for their actions in games over the last week. Kaleta was given a ten game ban for his blow to the head of Columbus' Jack Johnson while Lapierre is dealing with his hit from behind on the Sharks Dan Boyle. Low and behold both instances led to fisticuffs. Kaleta was instantly challenged by Jared Boll, and even though Randall Pelech never got his mitts on Lapierre, the need to confront him was still obvious. Had Ryan Reaves not gotten in the way, it was clear that Lapierre may not have been smiling much longer.

So guys like Damien Cox can tweet all they want about removing fighting to prevent injuries, but without fighting, there would be more of these Kaleta and Lapierre hits which, oh my, look, lead to injuries. Go ahead take fighting out, but who then, becomes accountable for their on - ice actions. Who will step up and let Lapierre, Kaleta and the others know that plays like this are unacceptable? Sure, suspensions can be handed out and become more severe over time. That being said, that has done nothing to deter this plays from happening. A right in the jaw is in my opinion, a far more punitive action than having to sit out a couple of games.

Penalties for obviously staged fights can and should increase; that wouldn't bother me. Taking fighting out completely is not only ridiculous, but in my opinion, dangerous. I am only one person with one opinion but that is mine.

Here is my pet peeve for the day; sportscasters who tweet constantly and seem to never have anything good to say about the league, the style of play or the abilities of these professional athletes. We all have our opinions, but can I remind you that there is a reason you are behind the desk talking about sports rather than being on the field as part of the action? Until you are in that situation I take little analysis from some of these guys as meaning anything. These guys know who they are, I won't say simply out of respect. I may judge and question from time to time but I am a mintue offender compared to some. Do you know how sickening it is to read tweets of a reporter in Regina that do nothing but criticize the Saskatchewan Roughriders from kick - off to final whistle? Sure, throw the CFL as a league under the bus as that will do a lot to boost the credibility of your station/network in the eyes of the only truly Canadian professional sports league; brilliant. Put your ego aside, tell me the score, maybe try to make me laugh or cry but know when to stop talking or typing. On that note, goodbye.