There was once a time when Larry, Curly, and Moe dazzled the big screen by hitting each other repeatedly over the head. It was crass, funny, and downright entertaining. Lately, it seems that the NHL is mimicking the Stooges, making headlines for shots to the head and horrific hits from behind. But unlike the Stooges, this is neither funny, nor fake. It is a serious and real problem.
When Gary Bettman sent out a memo to NHL players explaining that this play will not be tolerated, he must have failed to receive this same memo himself. His disciplinarian Colin Campbell continues to give minor suspensions of three games for these illegal hits.
Recently, the league has seen an influx in these illegal blows. Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn is out for 4-6 weeks after being hit from behind by Montreal forward Tom Kostopoulos, who received a measly three-game suspension. Poor Patrice Bergeron, taken out of the arena in an ambulance and was out for 71 games, got no retribution as Randy Jones of the Flyers received a ridiculous two-game suspension.
When these hits aren’t making headlines, everyone’s inner Don Cherry comes out as fans see hitting as part of the game. It’s when it becomes news that everyone becomes passive. Tearful apologies and cries from the media to tighten up on suspensions become all the rage. But it’s all a big charade. It seems that any publicity is good publicity for the NHL, as Americans would rather watch cars drive in circles and people play cards.
The NHL needs to set standards and put their foot down. Regardless of the severity of the hit, there should be a minimal fifteen-game suspension and a team bench penalty where the aggressor’s team will have to play two players short for the next five games.
If a benchmark suspension is made, it will help to install sternness in a league that has been quasi-compassionate at best. Implementing a stricter rule will make players think about their actions, as it will penalize them for a good portion of the season, and penalize their team.
A two-minute penalty for a head shot or hit from behind is not good enough. It makes these illegal blows seem like they’re a common part of the game.
Why talk about removing the instigator rule so that players can “police” themselves? If this rule is removed, each team will allow its goons to pummel other players at the end of games, furthering the belief that hockey is a game played by brutes and barbarians.
Hockey players have been taught to finish their checks cleanly from a young age. Players are intentionally reckless because hockey culture promotes violence. While other sports have shown zero tolerance for excessively violent actions, the NHL continues to let this behaviour remain in the game.
Canadians attempt to distinguish themselves from Americans by taking on the role of pacifists. Ironically, on the ice Canadians are aggressive and violent. This inclination towards hockey violence may be why Don Cherry was voted the seventh greatest Canadian of all time.
On Coach’s Corner every Saturday night, Cherry preaches to people to play hockey the “Canadian Way”. The “Canadian Way” means fighting face-to-face, playing hard-nosed physical hockey that will separate Canadians from the “wimpy Europeans” who refuse to take hits. It means being tough and fighting for our game because it defines us as a nation.
The only fighting necessary for hockey is to fight for stricter discipline, so elite players can be protected and play the game.
Hitting will always have a place in the NHL. But if the league continues to neglect the safety of its players, the only place the NHL’s superstars will be showcased is in the hospital. This reality is laughable, but not in the Three Stooges sense.
The NHL needs to toughen up on discipline to curtail
