Matt Kassian and Shawn Thornton square off
Matt Kassian and Shawn Thornton square off. Cal Sport Media via AP Images

Instigator Rule Opinion Swaying Among NHLers

The NHLPA and CBC conducted a player poll with a variety of questions ranging from fastest shot (in case anyone wants to disagree with a machine) to which player would you start a franchise with. Also asked: Should the instigator rule be abolished?

A slight majority of players still favor the rule: 53% of players polled said no. However, this is down from 66% of a no vote last season.

Each season 98% of players said fighting should not be completely banished, the phrasing taken directly from the question.

America sees some bouts

Sunday was Hockey Day in America, so says the NHL & NBC Sports, and fans witnessed a few good scraps.

In one of the early games, Ryane Clowe out-matched a very willing Justin Abdelkader in a spirited bout. This was the 13th fighting major of the season for the Detroit Red Wings, matching their 2010-11 total. Seven of those fights have come within the past month.

Shawn Thornton took on the much larger Matt Kassian. At first the fight looked like it was going to be all Kassian, but Thornton was able to hang on, get position and the two started going back and forth. It was a long one, testing Kassian's stamina, Thornton's being well-documented.

Later in Florida, Krys Barch went with George Parros. Barch was able to land a few shots as the two spun around over and over.

Continue reading: Instigator Rule Opinion Swaying Among NHLers

Last 5 Hockey Fights (NHL)

Photo Gallery
Rick Rypien vs Brandon Prust

Rick Rypien

Rick Rypien brought energy to the game like few players could. Lost too soon, we remember one of the most exciting players to drop the gloves.

More Quick Hits

Bruins and Canadiens Battle Once More

No matter what the standings look like, what's a Montreal-Boston game without some fistic action? Ryan White and Adam McQuaid… 0 Comments

A Heavyweight Sighting

Valentine's Day 2012 marked something seldom seen in the NHL this year: a true heavyweight clash. Young Minnesota Wild… 2 Comments

Flyers and Leafs Rivalry Picks Up

Philadelphia Flyers rookie Zac Rinaldo was welcomed to the continuous battle between the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs by…

Super Weekend Recap

Amidst the parties for the Super Bowl (interest in the game sometimes secondary), there was a good amount of hockey being…

Northeast Rivals Battle

The Bruins and Senators and first and second in the Northeast division and entered the night second and third in the NHL in…

Follow

recommend on Google
David: Twitter | Google+
 

Latest Fight Videos Added

Jody Shelley vs Darcy Hordichuk

Philadelphia Flyers at Edmonton Oilers, Feb 23, 2012

Mathieu Gagnon vs Blake Millman

Shawinigan Cataractes at Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Feb 23, 2012

Jim Vandermeer vs Mike Brown

San Jose Sharks at Toronto Maple Leafs, Feb 23, 2012

Victor Provencher vs Aaron Hoyles

PEI Rocket at Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Feb 22, 2012

Jimmy Oligny vs Matt Provost

PEI Rocket at Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Feb 22, 2012