Author: Andrew Davis

Categories
Sports

Many positives this season for Stingers hockey

Photo by Brianna Thicke

The Concordian looks at what the men and women’s teams need to do to improve next season

Men’s hockey team

The men’s hockey season was filled with obstacles to overcome. The team was hit very hard with injuries, the most notable being their first-line winger Jessyco Bernard and alternate captain Youssef Kabbaj. Although teams never like to use injuries as an excuse, it made success much harder to come by for the Stingers. The defensive core was severely victimized by injuries, with only one defenceman playing in all 28 games.

Photo by Brianna Thicke

The Stingers had a very young team this year, with 13 first-year players on the roster. After making it to the post-season for the first time in three years, the team’s lack of experience may help explain an early exit from the playoffs against the heavily favoured McGill Redmen. A team with so many new players will also have a difficult time creating chemistry, something that will develop as the players continue to play together in the coming years.

The team came close to defeating the Redmen in the first game of their playoff series, but a few breakdowns in a matter of minutes cost them dearly. The Stingers kept the second game close until the midway point of the game, when the Redmen’s offensive skill took over the game and buried the Stingers. The difference in both skill and experience was clear between the two teams.

The team also said farewell to their beloved captain George Lovatsis, who reached his maximum five-year eligibility. The veteran winger was an undeniable leader of the team, and his departure will be noticed. With such a young team, leadership is a valued commodity. Lovatsis brought an incredible amount of leadership with him wherever he went.

Although the season was a challenging one, there were still many positives that can be taken out of it. Star forward Olivier Hinse was a consistent bright spot throughout the season, finishing third in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports league (CIS) with 18 goals. Hinse also led the team with 34 points, while also bringing leadership and energy each and every game. Starting goalie Antonio Mastropietro was a workhorse for the team, playing in 20 of the team’s 28 games. On most nights, Mastropietro gave the Stingers a chance to win.

Moving forward, the team will only get better as the younger players gain experience. Although losing Lovatsis and his leadership is a difficult pill to swallow, the team will continue to thrive under the leadership of Hinse, Kabbaj, Bernard and Kyle Armstrong. The Stingers have a very hopeful future ahead of them, and the Stingers will become more experienced and competitive as a group.

 

Women’s hockey team

The women’s hockey team finished with their best record in four years, but it was still a difficult season. Finishing the season with a 5-15 record, the Stingers struggled to produce offensively. Although the team played better than their record gives them credit for — seven of their losses were by one-goal margins  — a lack of execution and consistency hurt their chances to succeed in the postseason.

In their playoff series with the McGill Martlets, the Stingers lost by a score of 3-2 in a very close game one. Although the team played well in that game, they were thrashed in the second by a score of 10-2, ending their season in a disappointing fashion. Inconsistencies cost the team in the end.

The 10-2 loss was also the last game for four of the veteran Stingers, most notably their captain Erin Lally. Although this leaves the team with a huge loss of both experience and leadership, it is an opportunity for younger Stingers to step up and become leaders. The team can definitely build off a frustrating season. They know their final record is not a fair reflection of how they played, and they will be looking to better that next year.

Categories
Sports

Falling to the mighty in second leg of postseason

Photo by Brianna Thicke

It was not a storybook ending to the careers of defencemen Gabrielle Meilleur, and Mary-Jane Roper and forwards Erin Lally and Jaymee Shell. The Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team were beaten by the McGill Martlets 10-2 on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Ed Meagher Arena. The loss completed McGill’s sweep of the Stingers in the best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs.

Photo by Brianna Thicke

The Stingers and Martlets began the first period by trading possession, with a few scoring chances developing for either team. The Stingers broke the deadlock at the 14:15 mark of the period, as forward Alyssa Sherrard snuck behind the defencemen and scored on a breakaway.

McGill kept pressing for the remainder of the first period, and eventually tied the game up on the power play with less than a minute to play. Martlets defenceman, Brittany Fouracres, redirected Katia Clément-Heydra’s point shot, which fooled Stingers goaltender, Carolanne Lavoie-Pilon.

The Martlets scored 30 seconds into the second period on a wraparound by Clément-Heydra. Although the Stingers never let up, McGill scored another goal two minutes later, as forward Gabrielle Davidson backhanded a perfect shot over Lavoie-Pilon’s shoulder to make it 3-1. The Martlets scored four more goals before the end of the period.

The Stingers continued to fight into the third period, but the Martlets scored three more goals within 30 seconds of one another, midway through the period. The Stingers scored soon after to make the score 10-2, with Sherrard skating behind the net and passing out front to a wide open Danielle Scarlett.

Head coach Les Lawton felt that the Stingers played very well against the McGill powerhouse, but perfection would have been needed to beat them.

“When you look back, we really lost our opportunity on Friday night [in a 3-1 loss]. […] We are such a young team, we have to learn from our mistakes, and we have to learn to bounce back from our mistakes. That can be hard for a young team.”

Lawton also said that although this is a disappointing end to the year, there are encouraging signs for next season.

“We are really excited about our future, as we’ve got 12 first-year players that really brought some good work ethic and passion to our team. We’re very excited for the years ahead,” he said.

It was an emotional end to the game as the four veterans playing their final game in a Stingers uniform were surrounded and congratulated by their teammates. Five-year veteran Mary-Jane Roper leaves the team with nothing but happy memories of her time as a Stinger.

“Not many girls across Canada make it five years and graduate. A lot of people quit on the way through, and the only thing that helps you get through that is the support system,” she said. “Being a Stinger is about being part of the big family, and Les [Lawton] is great for that. He’s always there if you need something, especially in your first few years.”

 

Categories
Sports

Pressuring their kids to become ‘The Next One’

Graphic by Jenny Kwan

There is a predictable stereotype for every minor hockey team which is to have at least one or two crazy hockey parents in the stands. Although we laugh and joke about this, the truth is that there are far too many parents pressuring their kids to compete at a level they are incapable of reaching. Far too many parents believe that their kid has what it takes to be the next Sidney Crosby. They feel that this justifies pressuring and working their child until they no longer have a will to play hockey.

Graphic by Jenny Kwan

Concordia Stingers head coach Kevin Figsby, who has 30 years of coaching experience working for Hockey Québec and Hockey Canada, has seen his fair share of hockey parents who pressure their kids.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids that can’t handle the pressure that their parents put on them. I’ve seen what it does to the kids, and that’s the worst part,” he said.

“I don’t think parents realize that they put that amount of pressure on their kids. It’s unfortunate, because a lot of the times in those situations, those kids are turned off [by] the game. And that’s the sad part.”

Crazy hockey parents are in no way a new phenomenon, and most people who have played minor hockey can recall several incidents involving parents acting inappropriately.

Former president of Hockey Calgary, Todd Millar, is no stranger to these parents. In his book Moron: The Behind the Scenes Story of Minor Hockey, Millar writes: “For whatever reason, near that hockey rink, [parents] think that aggressive, asinine behaviour is acceptable, for those few moments of watching their son or daughter play the game of hockey. Would they act like that in front of their boss, or at a family function? I hope not. But they do act that way at a hockey rink.”

As a minor hockey player, Concordia’s star forward, Olivier Hinse, has also witnessed his fair share of crazy hockey parents.

“I’ve seen a lot of parents chirping each other from one end of the rink to the other, and almost getting into fist fights.”

He’s also been witness to parents yelling at coaches or trying to coach from the stands. “There’s a lot of parents who are taking too much control of their kid, and they don’t let the coach do their job.”

The goal of most “crazy” hockey parents is to turn their child into a superstar. They go about this by trying to control every aspect of their child’s hockey career, which takes away the fun of the game. Kids no longer want to play the game when their parents are shouting at them or the coach, whenever they are at the rink.

Stingers defenceman, Youssef Kabbaj, has also seen first-hand what an over pressuring parent can do to a young athlete.

“There was a guy who played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was drafted in the second round, and he was a really good player, “ Kabbaj said. “But his dad was so intense on him, and he would literally demand perfection from him. The guy would score two or three goals, and it was never good enough for his dad.”

“It ended up hindering his game, because he’s not where I thought he would be now. Parents end up focusing so much on performance, whereas the child doesn’t have the passion to play the game anymore.”

Kabbaj feels that supportive parents help their kids excel, while overbearing parents hinder a player’s growth and development.

“My dad was tough on me. He was demanding, but what he demanded was intensity. He didn’t care if I was going to be the next Sidney Crosby or not.”

Figsby echoes Kabbaj’s point of view, in that the parents who want their kids to be future NHL superstars end up holding their kids back.

“My best players tend to have had great parents growing up. The ones who came to every game were super positive and encouraging, who would do anything for the team and will not say anything to their kid except ‘Did you have fun?’ The kids that struggle tend to have the parents that are verbally pressuring or manipulative.”

It is natural for parents to want their children to be the best that they can be. It is also important for parents to support their children, and to help them achieve their goals. There is a fine line between support and pressure, and many parents fail to distinguish between them.

“To help their children grow, parents can’t impose stuff,” Kabbaj said. “They have to evaluate where their kid is, and then see how they can help support them to be the best that they can be. In the end, Sidney Crosby is in the NHL because he worked hard and he wants to be there. I don’t think he would be there if he didn’t want to be.”

Categories
Sports

Mastropietro shines in Stingers loss to UQTR

Photo by Marilla Steuter-Martin

Special teams were the difference when the Concordia Stingers lost to the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriots 4-1 at the Ed Meagher Arena last Wednesday. The Patriots scored three of their four goals on the power play, and the Stingers were unable to claw their way back into the game.

Photo by Marilla Steuter-Martin

The game began with both teams trading chances, with the Patriots getting most of the scoring opportunities. UQTR broke the deadlock at 13:19, when forward Jason Rajotte scored on a one timer after a perfect pass in front of the net. Just 20 seconds after the goal, Concordia was penalized for roughing, and UQTR took advantage on its first power play of the game.

Stingers goaltender Antonio Mastropietro faced 21 shots in the first period, while Concordia was only able to get one shot on goal.

The Stingers cut the deficit in half early in the second period, when centre Hugo Vincent skated the puck the full length of the ice before setting up defenceman Gabriel Bourret with a perfect pass.

The penalty problems continued for Concordia after their goal, as UQTR scored two more goals on the power play before the end of the period. Both teams continued to battle through a scoreless final 20 minutes, as the Stingers refused to go down without a fight. Although both teams traded chances, a three-goal deficit was too much to overcome for Concordia.

Head coach Kevin Figsby said that the Stingers’ lack of discipline left the game wide open for the Patriots.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game if we weren’t disciplined and took penalties,” said Figsby. “You look at the score sheet, they scored three power play goals. Unfortunately, the penalties we took were uncharacteristic, and they capitalized. From a five on five perspective, it was a 1-1 game.”

Despite the loss, Figsby was happy with his team’s performance.

“I’m proud of our guys and the way they played, and the way we competed tonight,” he said. “[UQTR] outplayed us, they outworked us, and they outscored us. But we never stopped competing.”

Mastropietro was the bright spot of the night for the Stingers, as he faced a season-high 43 shots. Figsby was very quick to give his goaltender credit.

“Antonio made some very key saves tonight, and I think we let him down with the penalties we took.”

Mastropietro felt that the 39-save performance was not an individual effort.

“The defencemen were really helping me out tonight. As long as I can see the shot, that’s good for me,” said Mastropietro. “On some of their goals, there were a lot of tic-tac-toe plays, and that is the best way to score on any goalie.”

Figsby also pointed out that games like these should be used as learning experiences for a young team about to enter the playoffs.

“We’re tired. It’s not an excuse, but we’re in that stretch right now where we know we’re playing five games in eight nights. We don’t have a full squad and we’re a bit banged up right now. We need to overcome that adversity. That’s okay; it’s a learning experience for the playoffs.”

Categories
Sports

Concordia to have outdoor rink built at Loyola

Photo by Keith Race

The Applied Human Sciences Student Association (AHSCSA) is working in collaboration with the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) and the Concordia Student Union (CSU) to build a skating rink on the football field at the Loyola campus.

Photo by Keith Race

The project is an AHSCSA initiative, and is designed, according to its proposal, “to promote and create a sense of belonging and community for Concordia students, faculty and staff.”

As written in the proposal, “The Applied Human Sciences Student Association wants to promote leadership, active participation, and sense of community and inspire current and future Concordia students to plan, lead, and manage projects and events, and to take initiatives in being an active member of the Concordia community.”

The proposed skating rink would be located on Concordia’s turf field in the end zone closest to the Department of Recreation and Athletics building. The rink would measure 60 feet by 120 feet, and would be enclosed by wooden hockey boards.

The project has already received the support of numerous Concordia groups and departments, including the Athletics and Recreation Department, the Dean of Students Office, Gerry Barrette, (Concordia property manager), Loyola Campus Residence, ASFA, and CSU. Plans have already been made for maintenance, scheduling, emergency protocol, and security.

Sean Nolan, Vice President of Social Affairs for ASFA, is one of the co-founders of the project.

“In September, AHSC president Krzysiek Kmiecik approached me about having a rink on campus and we have been working on the project together since,” said Nolan.

Nolan is very confident that the rink will be beneficial for Concordia students.

“I believe this outdoor rink project would really benefit Concordia students, especially those living in the residences on Loyola Campus,” he said. “With this rink, we can organize skating events for all Concordia students, as well as make residence life a bit more entertaining.”

Nolan is also hopeful that the rink will be equipped with an outdoor sound system, so that participants can enjoy music while they skate. CJLO has also stated that they are interested in broadcasting live from the skating rink.

“Other recreational projects revolving around this rink would be night time skating events where students would be able to skate around the rink and enjoy music,” said Nolan. “Furthermore, we are looking into providing hot chocolate and coffee for skaters.”

The rink will also benefit Concordia’s student-athletes, according to the proposal.

“The rink will provide an opportunity for the Concordia Stinger student-athletes to get involved on a voluntary or paid work basis. There will also be opportunity for student and student-athlete interaction, community building, and reinforcing student support for the Stingers.”

There is also the possibility of involving both the men’s and women’s hockey teams in providing skating lessons and animating activities. Hockey tournaments will also be organized by Nolan.

According to Nolan, the rink will begin to be built as of Tuesday, Jan.21, now that Montreal is expecting some colder weather.

“It’s been a pretty bad year for outdoor rinks in Montreal with all this warm January weather we’ve been having,” said Nolan.

 

Categories
Sports

Is it time for George Parros to call it quits?

It was another scary scene on the night of Dec. 14, when Montreal Canadiens’ enforcer, George Parros, was knocked into a daze by New York Islanders’ tough guy, Eric Boulton.

During a fight between the two heavyweights, Parros was hit several times in the side of the head before Boulton connected with a punch to Parros’ chin, causing his knees to buckle underneath him. He left the game and did not return.

This is Parros’ second concussion of the season. His first concussion came after the infamous incident on opening night, when Parros hit his chin on the ice during a bout with the Maple Leafs’ Colton Orr.

Not only has this once again rekindled the debate about fighting’s place in the NHL, but it also brings up a more pressing question: Should George Parros hang up the skates (and gloves) for good?

Several hockey experts believe it is the organization’s responsibility to protect the players from themselves.

“It’s up to Marc Bergevin and Michel Therrien not to put Parros in the line up anymore,” said Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmonds on TSN’s The Reporters. Concordia Stingers head coach Kevin Figsby also believes that the Canadiens need to think about Parros’ future.

“In today’s time-frame, you have to put the health and long-term well-being of the person above all other concerns,” he said. “Sport is a secondary factor. Life, and quality of said life, are much more important than the game.”

The league and the organization may also be more sensitive to players returning from head injuries after the recent lawsuit against the NHL by over 200 former players. The ex-players claim that the league withheld information about the long-term effects of head injuries.

Not only does the league have to protect the players from long-term effects of multiple head injuries, but they also need to protect themselves from being legally liable.

“How many ex-fighters, like Parros, will there be in 20 years?” asked Bruce Arthur on TSN’s The Reporters. “If Montreal keeps trotting him out, there might be a case.”

Others, such as Stingers alternate captain, Youssef Kabbaj, said it is up to Parros alone to decide his future in hockey.

“If he is cleared by the proper professionals to play again, he should be allowed to do so and eventually fight again,” said the second-year defenseman.

Kabbaj also said that stopping Parros from fighting could have more serious consequences.

“In this case, preventing Parros from playing for the sake of his health might be beneficial for him,” he said.

“[However] if Parros is forced to retire in the NHL, it might actually entice players into hiding symptoms of injuries for the sake of their career. This will unfortunately destroy everything the league has built to protect players today.”

The reality is that if the players and the league want to keep fighting in the game, then both parties must be willing to accept the risks. The fact that not a single player has come out against fighting proves that fighting, and the risks it entails, are widely accepted by those taking part in it.

Parros himself made it clear that no one is forcing him to fight.

“It’s a choice I make,” he told ESPN in early December. “[Brain injuries] are probably not from the fighting. It’s from the other hits. Most fights end in a draw, without serious injury.”

Although retiring may be the safe choice, it is a decision that Parros should be given the power to make. It is responsible for the league to be concerned about the health of its players and not want to be held liable for any long-term injuries.

However, as long as Parros is medically cleared to play and he chooses to carry on, letting him do so is a risk that the league must accept.

Categories
Sports

Hinse’s hat trick leads Stingers to blowout victory

Photo by Brianna Thicke

It was a full team effort on Friday Nov. 22 as the Concordia Stingers defeated the Brock Badgers 9-2 at the Ed Meagher Arena.

Photo by Brianna Thicke

Although the game began with both teams trading chances, the Stingers never looked back once they broke the deadlock at the 5:25 mark in the first period. Centre Olivier Hinse got Concordia on the board with a beautiful backhand shot on a partial break, and netted another one two minutes later to make it 2-0 for the Stingers.

Before the period ended the Stingers added two more goals from centre Kyle Armstrong and captain George Lovatsis, with the goals coming within a minute of one another.

Both teams traded goals twice in the second period. Both times Brock scored, Concordia answered within a minute, never allowing the Badgers team to get any momentum going. Lovatsis scored his second of the night, while newcomer Gabriel Bourret scored his first goal as a Stinger before the period ended.

The night of firsts continued early in the third, as left winger Francis Beauregard also scored his first goal in a Stingers jersey. Backup goaltender Paul Bourbeau took over for Antonio Mastropietro with 9:36 remaining, giving Mastropietro a chance to save his energy and start the next game less than 18 hours later. Both goalies put on solid performances, with Mastropietro stopping 23 of 25 shots, while Bourbeau stopped all six shots he faced.

Concordia finished their full 60-minute effort by scoring two more goals before the final buzzer. Left winger Taylor Lambke scored his seventh of the season, while Hinse scored his third of the game, completing his second hat trick of the season. Hinse now leads the Canadian Interuniversity Sports league with 13 goals in only 11 games. Hinse also leads the Stingers team in points, with 19 on the season so far.

Head coach Kevin Figsby said that even though he was happy with the win, he was even happier with the team’s effort.

“Tonight’s objective was to follow the game plan we put in place this week during practice. The game plan was not to worry about the outcome of tonight’s game, but to worry about the input of each player. Each player did that.”

Figsby commented on Hinse’s outstanding performance, saying it’s not just the 13 goals that have made him such a valuable and important player.

“He’s been playing fantastic hockey all season. He’s also been our best penalty killer, so either he’s scoring goals or killing penalties. It doesn’t get any better.”

Lovatsis mirrored the coach’s comments concerning the team’s complete effort.

“All lines were going tonight. It was good to see, and hopefully we can keep this going until Christmas and after.”

“Antonio was solid as usual, and it was good to get Paul in there. He did really well, and he made some nice saves. It was good to see that if we need Paul to go in there at any time that he’s up to the task,” said the team captain about the performance by both goalies.

Categories
Sports

Is showboating breaking the unwritten code?

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (#8) in front of the Philadelphia Flyers net during their NHL ice hockey game at Verizon Center. (Photo from Flickr.)
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (#8) in front of the Philadelphia Flyers net during their NHL ice hockey game at Verizon Center. (Photo from Flickr.)

Hockey fans everywhere have been talking about San Jose Sharks’ rookie sensation Tomas Hertl and his spectacular goal last Tuesday, when the young Czech scored a fancy, between-the-legs goal on a breakaway against New York Rangers goalie Martin Biron.

It was the eighth goal of the game for San Jose, and the fourth for Hertl in what would be an eventual 9-2 win for the Sharks.

The goal has received mixed reactions from around the hockey world. Although many people have applauded the display of raw talent, others feel that it was showboating and breaking an unwritten code of hockey ethics.

Washington Capitals coach and Hall of Famer Adam Oates was one of the first to come out and say that he disapproved of the goal.

“I’m upset. I was just talking to [Capitals General Manager] George [McPhee] and he said all the kids do that nowadays, which I understand,” he said, according to The Washington Post. “But would he have done it on his first goal? [If] he [hadn’t] scored yet [that night] and he gets a breakaway, is he going to do that on his breakaway? We’ll see.”

“[…] This league, it will bite you if you’re not sharp,” Oates continued. “Don’t disrespect the league. I’m sure it was a rookie mistake.”

Don Cherry, known for his hostile feelings towards European players and their flashy style of hockey, also gave his reaction to the goal on the Saturday, Oct. 12 edition of the CBC’s Coach’s Corner. Although he thinks the goal was hot-dogging, he feels that it was done unintentionally by a young kid who didn’t know any better.

“If the score had been 1-1, we would have said ‘hey, what a goal’. […] I’m going to say something about the kid. He didn’t know he did anything wrong. He played in the Czech Republic last year. This is what they do.”

Last season saw young rookie sensation Nail Yakupov slide across the ice in celebration of a goal, and even this was too extravagant for some people. The celebration received a similar reaction to Hertl’s goal. Like Yakupov, Hertl has now made his name known to the hockey world, for better or worse.

San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan did admit that his budding star’s celebration may have been a little over the top, but the celebration was understandable, given the situation.

“The one thing he’ll have to learn a little bit is the celebration, but he’s four goals into a game, his emotion is running high, his mom’s at the game, the celebration was maybe a little over the top. I don’t even know how I tell him that, because he’s not going to understand it,” according to Canada.com.

On the other hand, there are other members of the hockey world that have no problem with the goal, and think displays of talent should be applauded and encouraged.

“Honestly, I think it’s pretty sad that a kid scores four goals and you guys are talking about the move he made,” said Vancouver Canucks’ goaltender Roberto Luongo, according to Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun. “What did he do wrong? He made a play, and he scored. If he scored on me, I wouldn’t be pissed if he scored that way. There is no rule against it, so I don’t understand why people would get upset about it.”

Luongo’s teammate Henrik Sedin also felt that the goal being seen as controversial is ridiculous.

“What should he have done? Come in and shoot at [goalie Martin Biron’s) pads? I don’t get it,” said Sedin, according to the Canada.com. “If he comes in and does, like, a one-handed Forsberg move … what would have been acceptable? I’m amazed we’re standing here today talking about it.”

Concordia Stingers defenceman Adam Nugent-Hopkins is on the fence about the goal.

“I don’t really have a problem with the goal. It wasn’t so much showboating as it was cocky.There is an unwritten code of ethics in hockey, and you try to stay humble about these things. But it also puts a lot of pressure on Hertl. It’s going to draw attention to him, and it’s not going to make things any easier for him.”

Nugent-Hopkins, however, shared Sedin’s views, saying it’s not Hertl’s fault that he had the chance to score.

“He wants to score, that’s why he’s out there. Too bad for New York if you can’t stop him. They’re being paid millions of dollars to stop him.”

Criticizing a young player for scoring is also very hypocritical, said McLellan.

“If you refer back to 2005, the lockout year, our league, our players, our management were looking for ways to find goal-scoring. Our fans want it,” McLellan said, according to Canada.com.

“We’ve changed rules, we’ve changed the size of the net, we’ve reduced goaltenders’ pads, we’ve put trapezoids in, we’re taken red lines out, we’ve done just about everything we can to increase scoring,” he continued.

“And now, a 19-year-old comes into the league and he scores four goals, can’t speak the language, doesn’t really understand where he is right now, and we’re going to criticize him for that? Not me.”

Although the goal may have been flashy, that is not necessarily a bad thing. For a league that is desperately trying to fill seats in some arenas, displays of skill is what is going to sell the game.

Kevin Figsby, coach of the Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team, suggested that Hertl’s goal is exactly what the NHL wants.

“I think Hertl’s goal was a thing of skill. I don’t think he would have used the same move if the score was 2-2, but I think the NHL is looking for those type of skilled moves, to sell the game,” he said.

“In fact, I think that type of move would be welcomed at the All-Star Skills competition, rather than watching guys wear costumes etc. [or] during the shootout competition.”

Hertl’s goal was seen on every highlight reel around the continent, even in places where hockey receives low levels of exposure. His celebration may have been a little over the top given the circumstances, but that is part of maturing as a hockey player. He is not the first player to go too far with a celebration, and he definitely won’t be the last. The play may have been cocky, but perhaps having more flashy goals and more outrageous celebrations in the league is what the NHL needs to sell the game.

Categories
Sports

Does fighting belong in hockey?

The debate about fighting in hockey has once again risen from the ashes, following the opening night fight between Habs player George Parros and Maple Leafs tough guy Colton Orr. While some people claim that it is barbaric to have players punching each other in the head given everything we know about concussions, other people say that fighting is necessary in order for players to protect themselves and their teammates, especially their superstars.

Is there really a place for fighting in hockey? Several members of the Concordia men’s hockey team certainly think so.

“Fighting should always stay in the NHL,” said team captain George Lovatsis. “I think it’s part of the game, and I think it has to be a part of the game. It always has been, and I think it always should be.”

Alternate captain Olivier Hinse mirrored the comments. “I think there is a place for fighting, because if there is no fighting, there will be more cheap shots. So it’s there to make sure players aren’t going too far.”

The main reason to keep fighting in the game is so players have their own form of vigilante justice, according to alternate captain Youssef Kabbaj. “If you take out fighting, you get what you have in the CIS [Canadian Interuniversity Sports]. The pests do not have to justify what they’re doing.”

All three players (Lovatsis, Hinse and Kabbaj) see the value of fighting, and understand its importance within the game.

“It’s there to police and protect the players,” explained Kabbaj. “Let’s say you get hit from behind and one of your players goes to fight him, that’s fine. With fighting, if you hit someone from behind you know when you turn around someone is going to be coming to beat you up. If there is no fighting, you will just take the two minute penalty without having to answer for anything.”

After the Parros incident, several NHL general managers expressed their concern over player safety.

“I believe a player should get a game misconduct for fighting,” Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman, told TSN’s Darren Dreger. “We penalize and suspend players for making contact with the head while checking, in an effort to reduce head injuries, yet we still allow fighting.

Although Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford, Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero, and former Habs head coach Scotty Bowman agreed with Yzerman, most players seem to disagree.

“I personally think you need fights in hockey to keep everyone honest,” Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux told TSN.

San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton also feels it’s part of the game.

“I think it would be a shame to take it out of the game,” said Thornton in 2009, according to the Canadian Press. “It’s a part of hockey, like tying up your laces or shooting the puck.”

Athletes know that taking part in any sport comes with certain risks, and accidents and injuries are bound to happen. Montreal Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges is also on record as saying he believes fighting is part of hockey.

“I see more players get hurt from hits, collisions, from pucks, than I do from fights,” Gorges told TSN. “I don’t think saying because a player got hurt in a fight that now we have to talk about taking fighting away. And I bet that if you ask George [Parros], he’ll be the first to agree with me on that one too.”

Kevin Figsby, head coach of the Concordia men’s hockey team, pointed out that fighting is actually prosperous for the NHL. “Certainly when it comes to the NHL they’re looking at the dollar figure. Every time there is a fight, it drives up their revenue and the beer sales. It heightens people’s curiosity when there is a fight. For some reason fighting is linked to alcohol sales, and their sales drive up the revenue that pays the players. From that perspective it is definitely a business decision.”

A Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey from 2009 showed that 68% of NHL fans think fighting should stay in the game. Less than 30% of hockey fans are in favour of abolishing fighting.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman admitted that fighting does sell tickets, and that the league is not looking into abolishing it anytime soon.

“I believe that most of our fans enjoy that aspect of the game,” Bettman said at the all-star game weekend in Montreal in 2009, according to the CBC. “I do not think it is the be-all and end-all of our game, but it is a part of the game.”

Although the debate about fighting resurfaces repeatedly, people get excited whenever there is a fight. Fights are usually in the highlights of televised games, and enforcers come to be some of the more popular players on a team.

“At the end of the day, it’s been a part of the sport since the day it started, and you can’t just radically change a sport like that,” said Kabbaj. “We don’t even know what the consequences would be if we took out fighting.”

In today’s NHL, just as many people jump out of their seats for a fight as they do for a goal. Only when people stop jumping out of their seats for fights will the NHL look at taking fighting out of the game. Until then, fighting in the NHL is here to stay.

 

Photo caption: The Concordia Stingers’ men’s hockey players and NHL players believe fighting has a place in hockey. Photo by Rae Pellerin

 

Exit mobile version