Lesley Bricker is in favor of more fighting in college hockey in part
because it will enhance some players transition to pro hockey and
invites comment.
 
I do not favor it and would stop attending games.  I just do not like
to watch the pro style game and I suspect that many college hockey
fans feel like I do.  A lot of college hockey fans have not seen much
or any pro hockey and others (myself included) have seen plenty
and decided they like the college game better.  I can watch and enjoy
international hockey which is more like college than pro--the
difference is clearly the fighting although pro also seem to allow a lot
more interference which also changes the game.  Fighting stops the
game for these ridiculous wrestling matches that seem to take
forever unless they are why you wanted to watch the game.  I think
it also casts a subtle shadow over the rest of the play in that certain
checks and plays are not made because the players seem to know in
the unwritten rules that a fight will result.  I have close friends who
really like pro hockey and they have explained to me patiently and
articulately that they do not agree and we have agreed to disagree.
Please do not bother to try to persuade me pro hockey is better or
that the fighting is no big deal.  I accept your opinion but you will
not change mine.
 
All of this is a lot about my preferences because I really do not care
about college hockey serving as a spring board to the pro's and I
suspect the few who will make the jump will make the transition
easily.  The gooning it up is really a fairy simple skill to learn if you
are big enough and want to learn it (I think desire really plays a part
with this) compared to skating, stick handling, shooting, anticipation,
etc.
 
College hockey has never (at least since 1966 when I started
watching)  had anything like the amount of fighting that is in the
Pro's.  The western teams way back played a lot rougher including
more shoving, roughing, punching, etc.  College was never anything
close to what was happening in the Pro's at the same time.  The Pro's
have calmed the fighting down from 60's and 70's levels but not
enough to change my dislike of the game.
 
I think Lesley is wrong on when the rules were changed to further
discourage fighting.  I do not believe there have been any
substantive changes in the last 5 years.  There was an escalator
clause added--1st fight one game suspension, 2nd fight two game
suspension, etc. but I did not see any change in eastern hockey
although it could have caused a change in the west.  The real change
was the addition of  the one game suspension for fighting and I think
that was more  like 15+  years ago.  When the rules were changed
there was a clear change in the game in that roughing seldom
escalates to a fight and fights usually stop quickly as the players
seemingly hope that the ref will call roughing instead of fighting.
 
 
Steven Rockey
Mathematics Librarian
115 White Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY              14853-7901
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Office:         (607)255-5268