When hockey turns barbaric

Posted by admin on Mar 21, 2007 in Sports | 0 comments

By now you’ve probably seen it, or at the very least you’ve heard about it. By now, New York Islander Chris Simon’s high stick shot at Ryan Hollweg has made its rounds on TV, the internet, and newsprint around the world.

It’s more than a little ironic that Chris Simon’s stick-swinging incident took place exactly three years after the Todd Bertuzzi incident. Simon’s New York Islanders welcomed the New York Rangers to the Nassau Coliseum in a game that held important playoff implications. Rangers forward Hollweg, a pesky physical player, hit Simon awkwardly into the boards. Simon suffered a concussion but got up, found Hollweg and delivered a two-hand slash to his face.

The tendency has been to paint Simon a goon, and I suppose it is warranted right now. I mean, there’s no part of Simon’s actions that could be defended logically. The stereotype of a goon holds that they are not skilled players, but rather big, lumbering sluggers who collect a paycheque based on their ability to intimidate. And while Simon is certainly a tough customer, and has never been one to shy away from fisticuffs. He’s hired muscle that will make a contribution. He’s played 744 games in the NHL. He’s amassed 302 points and is a plus-30 for his career. Chris Simon can play the game of hockey. So can Todd Bertuzzi and so could Marty McSorley.

So what is it that sets these players apart then? Over the years they’ve fought, hit, and scored right alongside the rest of the players in the NHL. The difference is that while hockey certainly is a violent game, most players on the ice can separate the realms of competition and common sense. Yet every now and then an incident occurs that leaves us shaking our heads. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising. Maybe because we expect these athletes to compete at the highest level of intensity under extreme pressure we shouldn’t be so surprised when someone finally snaps.

Do I think that this type of violence belongs in hockey? Absolutely not. But, I don’t think it’s going to go away either. It is the ugly side of the emotional aspect of the game. Passion and pride sometimes melt into anger and leads to a reaction that leave us with black marks on a game that seems to be equal parts beauty and brutality. Players play on an edge and at times they go over it. This is not a defense of their actions; it is merely a statement of reality. If history has taught us anything it’s that athletes are prone to these emotional brain-cramps, and in due time something like this will happen again.

It’s important to remember that this is not solely a problem in the NHL. Last season Albert Haynesworth of the Oakland Raiders used his cleat to step on an opponents exposed face. Cleveland Browns lineman Orlando Brown shoved an official after a penalty flag hit him in the eye. Ron Artest, Jermaine O’Neal, Carmelo Anthony and Mardy Collins will let you know that punches are thrown in basketball too (if you can call those punches). Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Delmon Young threw a bat at an umpire last season. Violence is a problem in sports because they involve humans and humans sometimes cross lines. And when they cross those lines on camera, we all stand around and point our finger, aghast at what is taking place in front of us, again.