Hordi on fighting in the NHL

[hordichukfan]

Saturday, 03/24/07

Injuries may end fighting
NHL official says rule review needed

By JOHN GLENNON
Staff Writer
Link:http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....=2007703240363

Part of the tradition

The mere mention of cutting back or eliminating fighting in hockey is sure to draw plenty of criticism.

Predators forward Darcy Hordichuk, who's built his NHL career on hard hits and a willingness to scrap, said he doesn't think hockey would be the same without fighting.

"Fighting's always been a big part of the game,'' Hordichuk said. "It's just like the reason we don't want to change the side of the nets — it's part of hockey's tradition, part of the history of the game.

"People like fighting. Blue-collar fans love that. It's been part of the game for so long that you can't take it away.''

Predators defenseman Kimmo Timonen stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 194 pounds, so he's on the opposite end of the physical spectrum as Hordichuk. The Nashville captain's game is based on skill and producing points.

But even Timonen has no fundamental opposition to fighting in the sport.

"If you said there weren't going to be any fights in the game, I wouldn't be upset,'' Timonen said. "But if you've got two tough guys who square off with one another, I have no problem with that. I think it's fair and think you have to take that away from the game.''

Timonen, like Hordichuk, said he believes there are plenty of fans who enjoy watching hockey players trade punches.

"It's been part of the game for many years,'' Timonen said. "When you look around the league, you see that tough guys are some of the most popular players with the fans.''

[mongoose]

take the fighting out and the game will resemble aus university hockey the stickwork is awful.