Pure BS. I've been involved in the sport for over 30 years and there are unwritten rules about fighting, etc... NO excuse for what he did. Been in probably 50 hockey fights over the years. You win some, you lose some, but NO swinging the lumber, kicking, biting, eye gouging, $hit like that. Even if the first hit wasn't legal (which it was) you have to show some respect for the game, that incident didn't.
New rules aren't taking away body checking, only the obstruction crap that causes retaliation. I've reffed about 300 games this season, mostly HS/Midget AA and it's a LOT better hockey and actually harder hits as the players are moving faster since they're not being held up by a stick, arm, or whatever.
Since we're calling the game tighter I've seen WAY less penalties by a player retaliating because he was interfered with/tied up off the puck, etc... Took a few months for the teams to adjust but it's a better game now.
Hockey isn't about fighting, it's supposed to be about the most skilled players moving the puck up the ice without being intimidated, bullied, or obstructed. I've seen a drastic change at the HS level locally. Last year a 6'3" 240# defensemen was an asset as he could clutch/grab anyone he could get his hands on. This year he's a liability as he's getting penalized for all his thuggish ways that don't display any skill whatsoever.
Sorry for the novel. I've reffed over 2000 games in the last 7 years and have quite an introspective on what's going on, needs to be done, etc...
With that said I'm off to ref an Adult Women's State Championship game in an hour. NO fighting/cheap shots in those games FTW!!! But boring as all hell....
