| Hockey fights are often misunderstood, but they are | | | | begun. The fighter who defeated the other is the |
| an accepted part of the game. They are not | | | | winner. |
| approved of, nor discouraged. The practice of fighting | | | | Both teams keep sturdy players as enforcers to |
| in hockey is permitted by many of the world's | | | | offend the opponents. They are designated players to |
| professional men's leagues, including the National | | | | fight in the middle of the game. The enforcer's role is |
| Hockey League. But, it is not allowed in women's | | | | generally to engage the offending or provoking the |
| hockey at any level. | | | | opponent into a fight. They are well paid and they |
| Hockey fights are more of a sideshow than a genuine | | | | know how to fight and entertain the spectators. |
| display of emotion and intensity. Sometimes, the fighting | | | | Although hockey fights are brutal and uncoordinated, |
| goes beyond control. In most cases, players who fight | | | | they play a legitimate role in keeping certain players' |
| are penalized equally or and may be ejected. | | | | behavior in line. It can settle scores and revenge the |
| Most of the hockey lovers love to watch fights at | | | | proper way. The National Hockey League, American |
| hockey games. They know that the game involves | | | | Hockey League, ECHL, and other notable minor |
| considerable body contact and occasional fighting. | | | | leagues have rules regarding penalties for such |
| These fights serve many purposes in the game. The | | | | infractions. Despite the terrible consequences of the |
| main purpose is to protect their own team members. | | | | hockey fights, most of the hockey game lovers |
| Hockey players fight each other to mark their territory | | | | consider fighting skill as a measure of all-around |
| to show ownership of the game. The dropping of the | | | | hockey talent. |
| gloves and the sticks is the first signal that fighting has | | | | |