To retaliate or not to retaliate? How do you handle dirty players?

[Goonzilla]

One thing I've noticed in all my years playing men's league hockey....I've never had a problem with a skilled/good player. I get along great with all those guys. Those guys come to play hockey and that's it.

Its the unskilled players who are the ones running around taking shots at people. My theory has always been that they are jealous and frustrated that they can't make the plays that the skilled players are making and they lash out. Guy has the puck on his stick and is dangling or cycling, unskilled player gets frustrated that he can't contain or do it himself so he resorts to illegal plays and sometimes dirty plays.

I wouldn't be too sure about that, I'm one of the lesser skilled guys with the pick at the pick up I play, but more than capable in my league division by virtue of the extra time and space I get to make decisions and execute passes or moves. Regardless I'm one of the bigger guys at either and where that can give me some sort of advantage I certainly use it, not because I'm jealous or frustrated by anyone, but rather why wouldn't you play to your advantages or strengths over others?

Doesn't mean you try and wipe anyone out or look for trouble, but if it means that someone is put off their game just a little bit, it benefits both you and your team; and hopefully everyone is there to compete and try and do what they can to help win.

..and the puck skills are coming along nicely. But even if I was one of the top skilled players, you'd still be silly not to use your size a little when it's to your advantage.

 

[4thline]

In the situation you described I wouldn't retaliate. Not for incidental contact. It would have to be intentional and excessive.

But, you are right to an extent in your first point. Retaliation can definitely lead to escalation. But, I'm thinking big picture and having to play vs the same people for many seasons. I want to establish early on that I don't put up with much at all and you better be prepared to go all in if you want to head down that road. 95% of the time if I have an issue with someone its worked out that game and we never have an issue again. But, there definitely is that other 5%.

Ok, I had a different picturen. I just know that I've legitimately incidentally knocked guys on their ***** hard, when you get 6' 200 pound guys playing hard the difference between no checking and no contact becomes brutally evident.

And yeah with respect to ongoing relationships I was thinking more of a one and done situation, a lot of the guys in intramural i never see again.

 

[Renbarg]

That video posted is hilarious. I almost can't tell whether the guy is serious. That's never ever a penalty, and certainly not a suspension.

There's more contact than that at the pickups I play

 

[Atoyot]

I egg them on and let them take the penalties and get my revenge by scoring on the PP, which just pisses them off more, and then I egg them on more, then repeat. I've always been a very effective, but clean pest. Don't play ice recently but I'm in a ball hockey league, had a game last week where in one scrum one guy tried to fight me and when they pulled him away another guy on their team put his hand around my throat and slammed me into the boards. Had a smile on my face the whole time, didn't pick up a single penalty while they got 34 PIMs between them and kicked out of the game. Their team had to forfeit because between losing them and having other players have to serve their additional penalties they didn't have enough players to play anymore.

In conclusion scoring a goal and winning is more satisfying than slashing a guy will ever be. I'll gladly take the cheap shots to give my team the advantage.

 

[4thline]

I egg them on and let them take the penalties and get my revenge by scoring on the PP, which just pisses them off more, and then I egg them on more, then repeat. I've always been a very effective, but clean pest. Don't play ice recently but I'm in a ball hockey league, had a game last week where in one scrum one guy tried to fight me and when they pulled him away another guy on their team put his hand around my throat and slammed me into the boards. Had a smile on my face the whole time, didn't pick up a single penalty while they got 34 PIMs between them and kicked out of the game. Their team had to forfeit because between losing them and having other players have to serve their additional penalties they didn't have enough players to play anymore.

In conclusion scoring a goal and winning is more satisfying than slashing a guy will ever be. I'll gladly take the cheap shots to give my team the advantage.

I'm all for sportsmanship and being the bigger man when meatheads are meatheading for no reason but proudly "egging them on" with no intention of backing it up is pretty damn gutless. Just as bad if not worse than the over aggressive guys.

 

[STC]

I egg them on and let them take the penalties and get my revenge by scoring on the PP, which just pisses them off more, and then I egg them on more, then repeat. I've always been a very effective, but clean pest. Don't play ice recently but I'm in a ball hockey league, had a game last week where in one scrum one guy tried to fight me and when they pulled him away another guy on their team put his hand around my throat and slammed me into the boards. Had a smile on my face the whole time, didn't pick up a single penalty while they got 34 PIMs between them and kicked out of the game. Their team had to forfeit because between losing them and having other players have to serve their additional penalties they didn't have enough players to play anymore.

In conclusion scoring a goal and winning is more satisfying than slashing a guy will ever be. I'll gladly take the cheap shots to give my team the advantage.

I'm all for sportsmanship and being the bigger man when meatheads are meatheading for no reason but proudly "egging them on" with no intention of backing it up is pretty damn gutless. Just as bad if not worse than the over aggressive guys.

On top of that the end result of his egging on was that the other team had to forfeit and the game was stopped and everyone went home. How is that fun?

 

[nystromshairstylist]

That video posted is hilarious. I almost can't tell whether the guy is serious. That's never ever a penalty, and certainly not a suspension.

There's more contact than that at the pickups I play

Not going to get into an argument, but I don't buy it. I've played pickup a few thousand times, and NOT ONCE has there been contact like in my video that did not lead to a fight/altercation. Cross checking/2-handers like that just does not happen at pick-up unless someone is being an idiot.

As for the incident in the video, I spoke with the guy after the next game, he apologized, and I said no problem - that was all I needed to hear. Issue is now settled and closed in my book, no further comment is needed.

 

[backcheck7]

Not going to get into an argument, but I don't buy it. I've played pickup a few thousand times, and NOT ONCE has there been contact like in my video that did not lead to a fight/altercation. Cross checking/2-handers like that just does not happen at pick-up unless someone is being an idiot.

As for the incident in the video, I spoke with the guy after the next game, he apologized, and I said no problem - that was all I needed to hear. Issue is now settled and closed in my book, no further comment is needed.

I've been playing pick up on and off for the past year.

The worst I have seen is accidental trips which are immediately followed by "I'm sorry" and "are you OK?"

The wacking and pushing in the video posted would get you kicked off the ice for drop in where I am. Rec league that stuff can be let go depending on the refs but only low skill idiots pull that kind of garbage. It seems to be the higher skill the league the far cleaner it gets because people are far better in terms of controlling themselves on the ice.

My power skating coach specifically addressed this and mentioned that he plays against former NHL and AHL players and they are the cleanest games ever due to the incredible skill on the ice. Anytime he encountered some try-hard goon it was always lower skill leagues. Best comeback he told me about was just skating past going "good job man, you're in the intimidator of the the D level 30+ men's league."

 

[Fanned On It]

STC for some reason your situation irks me... You've had like 20 back surgeries and are super fragile, right? But you want to play hockey anyway... And now you put the onus on everyone else to steer clear of you. How can a legitimate game of hockey be played if one player can't be touched at all?

I just feel like it's irresponsible for you to be going out there in your condition... For multiple reasons.

 

[Brunomics]

Lol dude both the elbow and the "cross-check" (which was really just a nudge) were soft. You'll get that daily as you start moving up through the leagues.

It took a couple views to even see what the big deal was about.

 

[STC]

STC for some reason your situation irks me... You've had like 20 back surgeries and are super fragile, right? But you want to play hockey anyway... And now you put the onus on everyone else to steer clear of you. How can a legitimate game of hockey be played if one player can't be touched at all?

I just feel like it's irresponsible for you to be going out there in your condition... For multiple reasons.

Never said everyone else needs to steer clear of me or that I expect to not be touched at all. Not sure where you are getting that from although judging by the fact that you said I had 20 surgeries when I only had 7 I'm going to say its just further hyperbole on your part.

 

[STC]

I wouldn't be too sure about that, I'm one of the lesser skilled guys with the pick at the pick up I play, but more than capable in my league division by virtue of the extra time and space I get to make decisions and execute passes or moves. Regardless I'm one of the bigger guys at either and where that can give me some sort of advantage I certainly use it, not because I'm jealous or frustrated by anyone, but rather why wouldn't you play to your advantages or strengths over others?

Doesn't mean you try and wipe anyone out or look for trouble, but if it means that someone is put off their game just a little bit, it benefits both you and your team; and hopefully everyone is there to compete and try and do what they can to help win.

..and the puck skills are coming along nicely. But even if I was one of the top skilled players, you'd still be silly not to use your size a little when it's to your advantage.

Goon, we're saying different things. I'm talking about people taking runs at skilled players or chopping them down because they are frustrated that they have the puck a lot.

 

[542365]

I almost never retaliate. One thing I've found surprisingly effective is to just remind the guys that we're playing ****ing beer league hockey and that we all have to work the next day. It seems to work pretty often when you really emphasize the fact that being a beer league goon is bottom of the barrel. Not even good enough to keep up in BEER LEAGUE!

 

[Atoyot]

I'm all for sportsmanship and being the bigger man when meatheads are meatheading for no reason but proudly "egging them on" with no intention of backing it up is pretty damn gutless. Just as bad if not worse than the over aggressive guys.

On top of that the end result of his egging on was that the other team had to forfeit and the game was stopped and everyone went home. How is that fun?

To be clear, it wasn't my intention to have the game forfeited/have a guy try to fight me/have a guy choke me. I'd rather play and lose than win by forfeit every day. However when a guy tries to choke me out because I'm standing in front of his net it's probably a good sign that the game should end.

Just to clarify, "egging them on" doesn't mean challenging them to a fight and walking away. I've never challenged anyone to a fight, I'm very small and would get ****-kicked. Egging them on is them saying they're going to punch me in the face and me telling them to get their free shot in because I won't fight back and I'll gladly take the power play. I am a very clean player but I don't lose board battles and I stand in front of the net and don't give an inch. That is what generally pisses people off when I play them and it has since I was a kid, so if they're going to get pissed off and throw cheap shots because they can't beat me then yes, I'm going to take the cheap shots and the powerplay. When they cheap shot me I'm going to say something that hopefully gets them angry so they do it more and get caught. Then they'll either realize they're hurting their team and stop or they'll get more mad and continue. This is the mental aspect of the game, it's not all about machismo.

EDIT: My main point is, hockey is an emotional game. If you can't keep yours in check it's not my responsibility to indulge you and go to the box with you. I don't appreciate guys hacking me and if they do I'm going to make them pay in a way that I am capable of making them pay, on the scoresheet. Anything else results in what? Me taking a penalty, us both taking a penalty, or me getting beat up and us both taking a penalty. Again, I've never challenged anyone and walked away. I've never challenged anyone. But if throwing out a quick line is going to get a guy angry, get him to cheapshot me more, get him to lose focus on his game and cost his team, yeah that's part of the game too. And that is the kind of game I am very good at playing.

 

[nycpunk1]

I find it interesting how many people KNOW that the high stick was on purpose, or that they were slewfooted by a rat, or that that was a crosscheck. Because all of the other Beer League guys do exactly what we intend to, all the time. And you're stronger on our skates than half the NHL, so it must have been a dirty play!

Of course, there are also the guys that talk about the dirty punk who cross-checked them in the back after they lifted his stick. Better drop the gloves, so that nutcase knows you mean business.

Meanwhile, everyone else is like "Jesus, it was a couple of weak slashes, let the ref call the penalties and get on with the game, tough guys."

 

[nystromshairstylist]

I find it interesting how many people KNOW that the high stick was on purpose, or that they were slewfooted by a rat, or that that was a crosscheck. Because all of the other Beer League guys do exactly what we intend to, all the time. And you're stronger on our skates than half the NHL, so it must have been a dirty play!

Of course, there are also the guys that talk about the dirty punk who cross-checked them in the back after they lifted his stick. Better drop the gloves, so that nutcase knows you mean business.

Meanwhile, everyone else is like "Jesus, it was a couple of weak slashes, let the ref call the penalties and get on with the game, tough guys."

I've stopped games in the middle of a rush or play because i saw a guy go down, usually tripping on his own, and he looked woozy or lost. Its beer league; five minutes after losing the championship game I don't care or remember to care what the hell happened in the game. Getting a good workout and having fun with quality people is the most important thing.

 

[manictech]

Had to watch the video a few times to see what the big deal was.... Still not understanding what the issue is. We have more contact than that in my rec roller league.

 

[Hyzer]

yeah, that video... lol.

i play a decently high level in roller hockey... people straight on body check each other all the time and we usually just play on.


for rec leagues that i've played in, thats nothing at all. like seriously... its hockey, not dance lessons.

 

[nystromshairstylist]

yeah, that video... lol.

i play a decently high level in roller hockey... people straight on body check each other all the time and we usually just play on.

for rec leagues that i've played in, thats nothing at all. like seriously... its hockey, not dance lessons.

We're so sure about your credibility, full checking in rec roller....

Can the mods close this thread already? The posts are getting more and more idiotic each page.

 

[CanadaBacon]

That video was classic. You should try to petition a rule where everyone must stay atleast 3 feet away from everyone just in case someone lightly shoves someone else. Unreal

 

[manictech]

We're so sure about your credibility, full checking in rec roller....

Can the mods close this thread already? The posts are getting more and more idiotic each page.

Can the mods shut down this thread? This guy made himself look like a princess and its embarrassing.

 

[roffleburger]

We're so sure about your credibility, full checking in rec roller....

Can the mods close this thread already? The posts are getting more and more idiotic each page.

Maybe you should stop commenting instead. Most league conveners and refs would laugh at that sort of contact in your video. It is more common at your level but it was just a nudge.

 

[4thline]

To be clear, it wasn't my intention to have the game forfeited/have a guy try to fight me/have a guy choke me. I'd rather play and lose than win by forfeit every day. However when a guy tries to choke me out because I'm standing in front of his net it's probably a good sign that the game should end.

Just to clarify, "egging them on" doesn't mean challenging them to a fight and walking away. I've never challenged anyone to a fight, I'm very small and would get ****-kicked. Egging them on is them saying they're going to punch me in the face and me telling them to get their free shot in because I won't fight back and I'll gladly take the power play. I am a very clean player but I don't lose board battles and I stand in front of the net and don't give an inch. That is what generally pisses people off when I play them and it has since I was a kid, so if they're going to get pissed off and throw cheap shots because they can't beat me then yes, I'm going to take the cheap shots and the powerplay. When they cheap shot me I'm going to say something that hopefully gets them angry so they do it more and get caught. Then they'll either realize they're hurting their team and stop or they'll get more mad and continue. This is the mental aspect of the game, it's not all about machismo.

EDIT: My main point is, hockey is an emotional game. If you can't keep yours in check it's not my responsibility to indulge you and go to the box with you. I don't appreciate guys hacking me and if they do I'm going to make them pay in a way that I am capable of making them pay, on the scoresheet. Anything else results in what? Me taking a penalty, us both taking a penalty, or me getting beat up and us both taking a penalty. Again, I've never challenged anyone and walked away. I've never challenged anyone. But if throwing out a quick line is going to get a guy angry, get him to cheapshot me more, get him to lose focus on his game and cost his team, yeah that's part of the game too. And that is the kind of game I am very good at playing.

Chirping is part of the game and it's fun, but IMO leveraging this "mental aspect of the game" that you're so proud of to win meaningless beer league hockey games is both laughable and kind of sad. Someone does something stupid? Sure get him back on the powerplay, because you're right- you're not obligated to retaliate. But deliberately provoking a grown man that's already been demonstrated to have a short fuse just to have a better shot at winning directly contributes to beer league hockey games turning into **** shows.

You deride "machismo", but your teammates "machismo" is the only thing that's going to protect you when you push a meathead too far and he decides to beat the **** out of you whether you want to fight or not.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Chirping is part of the game and it's fun, but IMO leveraging this "mental aspect of the game" that you're so proud of to win meaningless beer league hockey games is both laughable and kind of sad. Someone does something stupid? Sure get him back on the powerplay, because you're right- you're not obligated to retaliate. But deliberately provoking a grown man that's already been demonstrated to have a short fuse just to have a better shot at winning directly contributes to beer league hockey games turning into **** shows.

You deride "machismo", but your teammates "machismo" is the only thing that's going to protect you when you push a meathead too far and he decides to beat the **** out of you whether you want to fight or not.

Yah, that's kind of the dangerous aspect of playing hockey. IF you happen to pick a guy who grew up fighting or a guy who lacks fear this guy is going to be in serious trouble. All it takes is one guy to grab a hold of him while he's skating away and this guy will take a beating and then expect the league to do something about it and that's not how it works. I've fought a guy who had this act, he went around and provoked people, he chirped, he told me I wouldn't take my helmet off and fight him then I popped my helmet off and started throwing down and he dropped and turtled as though there was an earthquake drill. And the ref told me he was going to let me get some good shots on him before he stepped in because nobody liked the guy including guys on his own team.

 

[Tacks92]

No retaliating for me. What's it do? People say it "sets a precedent" or "deters" people, which I guess is true if the other guy gets intimidated, but if not he's just going to play even dirtier. His teammates may too. So then what's the point?

And I also think there is something that is subtly bad ass about just going out there, doing your job and when a guy tries to chop you, acting as if it didn't even happen. Kind of makes that guy look, and maybe even feel like the db he is.

Besides, tough hockey is more fun.

And if someone's being really out of control, refs should handle it.