God loves the Toronto Maple Leafs

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Europe has leagues.

Is it popular though? Or is it like the soccer leagues we have which pretty much blow and are ignored?

Originally posted by Agathon
Hockey outside N America is played by effete nonces. No fighting, hardly any checking, it might as well be a girls' game.

While I agree that people outside of N America are generally pretty much effete nonces anyways, I also have to agree with Imran that the fighting is pretty dumb and immature.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
They should get rid of fighting the N American game.

Um.. no way.

The talented players and rookies would just get cheap-shotted.

Anyway, you must be the only person who doesn't like it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

The talented players and rookies would just get cheap-shotted.

Cheap shot their talented players and rookies. Hockey is the only team sport that allows fighting. Why isn't the argument made in basketball or football that without fighting the talented players and rooks would get cheap-shoted? Because they take care of it within the game. No need for fighting to keep your guys good.

Anyway, you must be the only person who doesn't like it.

There are plenty that don't like it. Gretzky for one .

[Agathon]

Gretzky? The same Gretzky that never misses a beat to voice his gratitude to Marty McSorley? Right....

Hockey is a tough game. You couldn't keep it that way by appealing to the rulebook. It would quickly become unwatchable.

Anyway, I like the fighting. There's nothing like watching Tie Domi beat the crap out of some ****er who just took a run at Sundin.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, it's the one thing that makes it seem bush league to most Americans.

After all, remember that old joke: "I went to see a fight last night and a hockey game broke out"?

And yes, Gretzky... read his book.

[Agathon]

A you gotta love it

[Asher]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Well, it's the one thing that makes it seem bush league to most Americans.

And for God's sake, let's keep it that way.

The more popular it becomes in the States the more teams head south.

Fighting is part of the game, and it's a Canadian game. If you don't like it, start your own ***** league and remove that aspect of it.

Enforcers are part of the team strategy in hockey, they're a fundamental part of the game. Removing it would change the game, and damnit, it's good as it is now.

You might as well make tackling illegal in Football.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by Asher

And for God's sake, let's keep it that way.

The more popular it becomes in the States the more teams head south.

Fighting is part of the game, and it's a Canadian game. If you don't like it, start your own ***** league and remove that aspect of it.

Enforcers are part of the team strategy in hockey, they're a fundamental part of the game. Removing it would change the game, and damnit, it's good as it is now.

You might as well make tackling illegal in Football.

Yeah, but its hockey, not boxing. How is getting punched in the face part of the game?

[Imran Siddiqui]

See another Canuck against fighting in hockey. It isn't boxing. The game is pretty enough without all these fighting.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
See another Canuck against fighting in hockey. It isn't boxing. The game is pretty enough without all these fighting.

Well, I'm quasi canuck. But believe me, I know lots of Canadians who think the fighting is stupid.

I mean, it is fun to watch, but intellectually I know its wrong.

Edit: "Fun" to watch in a sick way, I mean. Like watching a trainwreck.

[Agathon]

Well, would you rather have a free flowing game where the refs don't dominate everything, or a game in which there might be a fight.

There aren't that many fights. I had the joy of attending the Leafs vs. the Penguins and that was unusual because not only was there fighting, but there were four or five fights.

Anyway, hockey isn't just sport, it's war. Tribal prestige is at stake and cheap shots demand retribution.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, would you rather have a free flowing game where the refs don't dominate everything, or a game in which there might be a fight.

You consider it a free flowing game now?

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Well, would you rather have a free flowing game where the refs don't dominate everything, or a game in which there might be a fight.

You consider it a free flowing game now?

It was in the 80s when fighting was more prevalent than it is now.

Fighting isn't the problem.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Agathon, aren't you from New Zealand, or have I lost my mind? If so, is hockey big down there? Like do they actually show NHL games on local TV, or do you have to watch it on sattelite or something from Canadian or US networks?

[Agathon]

Originally posted by JimmyCracksCorn
Agathon, aren't you from New Zealand, or have I lost my mind? If so, is hockey big down there? Like do they actually show NHL games on local TV, or do you have to watch it on sattelite or something from Canadian or US networks?

I am from NZ, but I live in Toronto. Been a hockey fan since.

I went back to NZ last year and it seems to have a following there based on the reaction to my Leafs sweater and a drunk I saw wearing a Preds shirt.


Anyway, LEAFS ARE TEH BOMB! HABS ARE TEH SUX! Ve ArE ToP oF the nHL, so l337.