Fights, physical contact an important part of hockey: fans

Fighting in hockey continues to be one of the great Canadian debates.

Many say it’s essential to a good game of hockey, but the women’s game has never had fighting and people praise its entertainment value because of the fundamental skills on display.

Fans and spectators at the Nova Scotia-Manitoba Canada Games tilt on Tuesday night said fighting has its place – but Barry Reynard, chair of hockey development with Hockey Canada, says women’s hockey has proven that physical contact isn’t the same as gratuitous violence.

“In female hockey, full-body contact is part of the game and we saw that at the Olympics, just how physical and yet how clean that can be,” he said. “It’s not an intimidating factor. It’s a defensive tactic to regain possession of the puck and in turn, turn that from defensive tactics to offence.”

Reynard says he’s not a fan of fighting and points out that women’s hockey also shows the game doesn’t need “extracurricular activities” to be captivating.

“The female game is a great game and it’s very healthy, as we’re experiencing here at the Canada Winter Games,” he said. “We haven’t seen a fight, don’t need a fight. I think the fans in here tonight again the local fans are appreciating the skill level of just how good these girls are getting.”

However, NHL scout Paul Gallagher of the Florida Panthers, who was also in the stands,  didn’t mince words when asked if there would always be a place for fighting in men’s hockey.

“Absolutely, no question about it,” he said. “It’s all part of the game. Nothing wrong with the fights but it’s the head contacts that are causing the issues.”

A debate over banning fights in hockey has taken centre stage in the last couple of weeks following a brawl-filled game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders that prompted a rebuke to the NHL from hockey legend Mario Lemieux. 

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