Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 6-3

[Pierre Larouche]

She had her opinion and was certainly passionate about it and entitled to it. I agree with her to a degree but not in this instance.

Bieksa had it spot on. He said pretty much what I thought when I had first seen it. It had nothing to do with a skill play but digging the goalie in a 5-0 game. He deserved a cross check there and that should have been the end of it. I wish the Leafs defense brought more of that when the goalie gets chopped.

Beagle should have let up once he saw who he was engaged with. Looked like he lost control for a minute, I’m sure he regrets it.

Simmonds played the enforcer role perfectly tonight, IMO.

wouldn’t call that much of a dig

 

[Pierre Larouche]

Your entire second paragraph discusses the role that it plays in the game, but does not actually do anything to describe it as fundamental to hockey. There used to be no forward pass a hundred years ago, and I imagine most of us remember two-line offsides. Getting rid of fighting would absolutely change the NHL, yes. But it's still just a rule like any of the others. And while I understand the difference between tournaments and leagues, I'm making a point about the role of fighting in hockey. Tournaments are absolutely relevant examples.

I've played hockey my entire life. From the moment I could stand and hold a stick until my beer league game later today, I've played this game. I'm just a beer league duster, but I have never once played in a league that allows fighting. It may not be pretty what we're doing, but we're still playing hockey. If you take away the fighting, it's still hockey.

I understand the role that fighting plays in the NHL and other professional/junior leagues. As a part of those leagues, it directly effects the game. But if 99% of the people who will ever play this wonderful game don't fight, I don't see how anyone can argue that it's actually intrinsic to the game. It's cool if you like it and think it plays an important role in the NHL. But it isn't some sacred act that must be protected at all costs.

Fighting is not intrinsic to the game. Enforcing rules to protect players and skill of game is more important.

 

[Pierre Larouche]

Jen said todays fan is looking to watch high end skill not goonery and that the league should step in with some form of discipline and should do a better job protecting its stars and encourage skill. Predictably bieksa thought it was fine and players should police themselves and that there’s nothing for the league to step in on.. IE “da code”

I agree w/Jenn. Bieksa just maintaining some old sh*t/ code. Policing themselves doesn’t work- especially if officials don’t make the calls that protect players & skill/speed of gm.

 

[ITM]

it’s part of the NHL game. Wasn’t part of the game in rest of world. Hopefully it will end.

But that is THE game. It's a part of the game from it's place of origin. And note, the rule for it exists out of an examination for THE game's needs that includes - for the most part - uninhibited play for it's skilled players precisely because you can't tame human aggression or the want for intimidation in this game of velocity and power.

From Rule 56 to 46, fighting culls the inclination towards wanton unaccountable violence. And THE game is better for it.