This is what keeps hockey from being a "real" sport.
These guys are such great athletes... it is a shame that fighting is so ingrained in the culture of hockey that it will always be relegated to a second tier sport.
The game deserves better.
Wash yer mouth out Whitty! Hockey is the greatest game. It has been let down by some goons, poor playing philosophy and poor league management - so yes, the game does deserve better. Think of where we are now with the state of golf and you will understand my PoV. Now that the league is starting to get stupidly dangerous play under some control, things are better, but its a fine line between letting talent go at it and refs strangling the game. Now we are seeing refs have too much control over games with a focus on childish calls. The focus for problem play should be on on illegal checks and fighting - meaning punishment should be far more severe for these infractions.
Donal - cheers.
Ciao