by Matthew Emma

Created on: June 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Can you imagine a joke without a punch line, or a day without stress. For an avid hockey fan, that is what trying to imagine the sport without fighting is like. Some things can't exist without the other. Hockey and fighting is a synonymous pair that should never be forced to part ways for several reasons.

First, hockey is a very fast, physical and emotional game where success often hinges on one team's ability to be more physical than its opponent. In such an intense atmosphere, it should be no surprise that tensions boil over on occasion, resulting in altercations.

Fighting is still a popular aspect of the sport from the fans perspective. Granted, fighting does have its detractors. However, it seems as plain as day that many hockey enthusiasts enjoy a good scrap once in a while.

I have had the good fortune of attending a number of games in person and watch countless others on television. I cannot remember one occurrence where a fight, or an anticipated altercation took place that didn't generate a positive response from those looking on. Don't merely take my word for it. Type the heading "hockey fights" on You Tube and see how many results are given, or see how many DVDs and videos featuring hockey fights are produced by media companies. If the prevailing attitude towards fighting was negative, there wouldn't be such a demand to see replays of it.

There are those who suggest fighting epitomizes the violent nature of hockey. I believe this notion is completely false. Sure, a handful of altercations get out of hand, but for the most part, fights that do take place look more like two men appearing in a dance choreographed better than a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) match. National Hockey League (NHL) officiating crews do an admirable job of stopping altercations before they spread or become bloody. In fact, I have seen players take more of a beating on legal, but bone crushing body checks than I've ever seen them incur fighting.

Finally, and perhaps most controversially, fighting does, at times, fit into hockey strategy. Every team dresses at least one or two "enforcers" for each game who are in the lineup specifically for their pugilistic abilities. Moreover, a good fight has been known to change the momentum of games by giving teams being outplayed a needed jolt of energy.

Currently, hockey is desperately searching for an identity. NHL officials are always trying to re-invent the game for its fan base and the media. The last thing the powers that be should do is take away an aspect of the game many of its fans enjoy and want to see. The debate will rage on. My advice to the NHL: don't mess with a good thing.

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