Should fighting be allowed in the AIHL?

I came across some feedback from recent games that has me in two minds. Firstly, I love everything about hockey. I love the grace and finesse of the game, the speed, stick-handling, shooting and skating. I also love the power of the sport. The checking, grinding, emotion and fighting. All of those elements combined make this the greatest sport in the world. Of course, the AIHL doesn't preach that all of these elements should be involved in the games that can be seen in Australia. So to me, something is missing when I watch these games.



Does fighting belong in the AIHL? AIHL players are not professionals, they don't make a living playing games on weekends. Of course you don't want to get seriously injured and make orphans of their children (to quote Drederick Tatem). But does fighting in hockey lead to more (or less) injuries? With the exception of Don Sanderson, may he rest in peace, there hasn't been a glute of major injuries resulting from hockey fights.

The Pros of hockey fights:

• It's a time-honoured tradition of the game
• It fairly settles differences among the players
• Players agree to follow the "code" so there are no surprises

To take my stand early. I think fighting should be allowed in the AIHL. I also think the rules relating to fights should be revamped. I believe now, if a player is involved in a fight they receive a game misconduct and a possible one-game suspension depending on the type/time of the fight. I think the AIHL should adopt the NHL rule of fighting: 5 Minute Major Penalty for fighting. Now, in the below video, this penalty would suffice for each of these players.

I like this example because it is something pretty straight forward. Two guys, duking it out in the heat of battle. Everything you would expect to see in a hockey game. One offence like this during a gam shouldn't mean that you are kicked out. Honestly, you should be given an opportunity to settle a score or protect other team mates throughout the course of the game. Once the linesmen jump in, both players recognise the fight is over and we all move on. This is part of the "code" that is referred to earlier. A 2nd fighting infraction in a game could lead to suspensions etc, I will leave that open for discussion.

I also think that the fans enjoy a bit of brew-ha-ha between two players. I don't think it's something that EVERY fan WANTS to see... but I will say the majority won't mind seeing it.

Now my points on why fighting shouldn't be allowed in the AIHL could go on and on. I will summarise it down to two points. The league officiating and players following the "code".

The IHA should make its tolerance level of fighting obvious to all new and existing players in the league. Say they (the IHA) were to allow fights with 5 minute penalties, any additional breaches of this rule (i.e. further fights in the game, continuing to fight after the linesmen have entered etc) should result in severe punishment for the player. A 5 game suspension perhaps. Below is an example of what I mean.

This LaChance character is an idiot. He is obviously winning the fight, the other player drops, the linesmen jump in and he continues to throw punches. That is a breach of the code as far as I'm concerned. To make things worse, he takes a shot at a bystanding Ice Dog. 5 game suspension, no question! Actually, make it 6 games because you're a fucking idiot. This type of display is something that I would want to keep out of the AIHL.

Now, if LaChance clearly knew that he would receive a 5 game suspension for his antics, I doubt he would have carried on.

Judging by the fan reactions every time I see a fight, this is clearly something the fans want. :)

Can the AIHL have both? Fighting and not idiotic play?

If we do have both (fighting and idiots) it will likely leed to players doing something like this:

"I smell bacon..."

But to get back on point. I really think we will eventually be able to include fighting in AIHL games. This element of the game is missing and I want it in! I think we are just a couple tweaks of rules and gameplay away from achieving it.

Anyhow, discuss below... this is a topic that I'm interested in hearing everyone's opinions about.