[speeder]

Fighting in pro hockey brings the game down but the people who are knocking hockey in general don't have a clue. Watch some division one college hockey some time where fighting is strictly banned and does not occur. That is possibly the best spectator sports experience on the planet. The game moves at 100 mph and never stops for more than a minute or two. Breathtaking. The athletic skill displayed is phenomenal.

I grew up in Minnesota playing hockey. My cousin played for the UofM during the Olympic gold metal era. I have several friends either formerly or currently in the NHL. When I'm back there visiting during the winter, I'll probably go see some Gopher hockey w/ my 80 y.o. Dad. It's more fun than a barrel of lesbians.

The fighting in the pros is stupid. I guess it dates back to the beginnings of the sport and trying to make it more entertaining(?) Fights happen in baseball and football, (not as much), and it's really bad sportsmanship in any game. Real hockey fans do not go to games to see fights. They go to see amazing skating and stick-handling. It's the nature of the game, (hard hitting), combined w/ lax pro rules that got us to this place.