To fight... or not to fight

The game of hockey is an interesting one.  They play with that weird puck shaped thingy... but thats a different story. 

The most intriguing part of hockey is the idea of fighting.  Players are given the ability to police their own game with their fists. 

The other night Milan Lucic ended a game by sucker punching Atlanta Thrasher Freddy Meyer in the face then giving a less than friendly gesture to the opposing team's bench.  The crowd went wild in the Garden.  I put my hand to my face and shook my head. 

Sure, as a hockey fan, of course I enjoy a good fight or two in a game.  The thing is, you really have to think when it comes to fighting.  Its a great philosophical question, to fight... or not to fight.

All season I have listened to people wearing Lucic jerseys or fight club shirts talking about about how they think Lucic and Chara should drop the gloves more often.  I completely disagree with all of these people.  Before you leave, hear me out...

Every team has their enforcer.  These guys aren't exactly the best players in the whole world. Their job isn't to put the puck in the net, it is to piss everybody off and protect their best player. 


Milan Lucic is arguably the best Bruin this season, racking up 16 goals and 12 assists. If Lucic was to fight every game (like many fans would love) the other team would be gaining an advantage over the Bruins by taking their best player off the ice, while the opposing team would probably only lose an average player if not the enforcer.

Lets think about it this way.  Who would you most like to see Lucic kick the crap out of?  I'll go with Dan Carcillo.  Even if Lucic destroys Carcillo, they both have to go off the ice for five minutes.  For those five minutes the Bruins lose Lucic and his 28 points will be sitting in the sin bin.  In the box next to him Carcillo will be smiling his lovely toothless smile as his three points this season will be thinking about the 25 point swing going in the Flyers direction.

When I put it that way, it makes a little more sense doesn't it?

Now, when you see Milan Lucic pass up a fight, nod your head and thank Milan for his patience and hope he puts the puck in the net.