Since I've often been accused of wanting hockey scored on a "ten point must"
system, I'll stay out of the fighting debate <g>.  As far as high sticks go,
however, I must say that fighting has nothing to do with it.  Mike was close
to the answer when he noted the increase in the high stick since the 60's.
 Simply put, the high sticking is a direct result of the introduction of the
helmet.  There were always exceptions (Ted Green didn't wear one before his
altercation) but for the most part, the sticks were lower when you had no
head protection.
 
-- Ron