Is a team full of freight train/hitters actually more fearful than an equal amt of fi

[BaddaBing Badda Boom]

To those of you that may have played hockey or have great insights from pros, or even guys that played semi-pro, college etc….Was wondering what would cause more consternation/fear lining up against a team full of guys say: Konstantinov, Marchment, Lindros, W Clark, Kasparitis, Stevens or a team full of first rate fighters? – I gotta think that it is at least equal – I mean some of those heavy hitting checkers could put you in the hospital just as bad if not worse than a Kocur, Boogard, or Twist bomb….

[kam]

Absolutely going against a team with guys like Konstantinov, Marchment, Lindros, W Clark, Kasparitis and Stevens makes you more skittish. Guys like that can end careers if they wanted to and all it takes is a couple of seconds of not paying attention and you’re a stain. Not taking anything away from badass fighters but the odds are against you with big time hitters that are head hunting.

Top fighters are easy to stay away from, just don't **** with them.

[Leaf2717]

This was the worst KO I saw until Orr Ko'ed Fridge in the 2007 [I think] -

Richardson KO check on Granato 1/28/89 - YouTube

That said, I think the low hip and knee hitters are even more scary.

All the best.

[blockerpunch]

It all depends if they are fighters who will actually jump you or if they are designated enforcer types. Also if your team has hitters too it just makes for a great game. If your team is soft, I don't think you are too excited to play against either of those types of teams!

[spiderarms]

Intimidation through bodychecking, nothing like it!

How about guys that do both? How many of our tough guys are also great body checkers?

Let me start the list:

Bob Probert
Wendel Clark
Terry O'Reilly
Nick Fotiu
Cam Neely
Jim Schoefeld
Scott Stevens
Eric Lindros

[fansince65]

100% of heavy hitters play every game for their respective teams , the fighter/enforcer doesn't , the heavy hitter is the most feared player in the game of hockey , always was and always will be as long as their is still hitting in the game , but they are turning all hockey into a no body contact game , the heavy hitter will go the same way as the enforcer , they will just disappear from the game ..

[V12_Bi-Turbo]

Well you can kill someone and break their neck with a big hit, not the same can be said as for fighting

[mikebflorida]

I agree, the hitters are more feared by ALL players where a fighter can easily be avoided or you can turtle, skate away, whatever.

Kasparitis, Ulfie, and Marchment are probably 3 of the dirtiest players to EVER play the game and they were heavily feared and hated because they went after guys knees with hip checks near the boards and they were absolutely vicious about it, they wouldn't last 2 weeks in today's NHL, Shanaban would have them for breakfast.

What always killed me, what drove me the most nuts, was watching those 3 hurt player after player and never really have to answer for it on the ice. They played in the 90's which you would think would mean they would get jumped and beat up for doing that sort of thing but they would always emerge from a scrum unscathed.

Tie got Ulfie really good but he had to sucker him to do it, I don't think Marchment and DK ever were properly dealt with for their dirty play.

But they were absolutely feared by every forward in the league, way more than any pugilist.

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by V12_Bi-Turbo

Well you can kill someone and break their neck with a big hit, not the same can be said as for fighting

How true , a friend I worked hunted and fished with had his 15 year old son wind up in a wheelchair from a hit from behind , his neck was broken .
The boys name is Ken Allure .
That hit he took is the one that is responsible for the "STOP" on the back of all hockey jerseys .

Well said Turbo ..

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by mikebflorida

I agree, the hitters are more feared by ALL players where a fighter can easily be avoided or you can turtle, skate away, whatever.

Kasparitis, Ulfie, and Marchment are probably 3 of the dirtiest players to EVER play the game and they were heavily feared and hated because they went after guys knees with hip checks near the boards and they were absolutely vicious about it, they wouldn't last 2 weeks in today's NHL, Shanaban would have them for breakfast.

What always killed me, what drove me the most nuts, was watching those 3 hurt player after player and never really have to answer for it on the ice. They played in the 90's which you would think would mean they would get jumped and beat up for doing that sort of thing but they would always emerge from a scrum unscat

Tie got Ulfie really good but he had to sucker him to do it, I don't think Marchment and DK ever were properly dealt with for their dirty play.

But they were absolutely feared by every forward in the league, way more than any pugilist.

I was at a game and saw Eric Lindros leave Ulfie laying in a heap on the ice from a clean devastating hit , Eric was only 18 years old at the time ..

[battleship25]

For most of the players it would be the hitters, no question. However if you were a 'character' player, or HW , or goon you'd be more on edge because of the fighters on the other team. Just like Schultz mentioned in his book ..looking ahead in the schedule to when the Flyers played the Bruins - when and how he'd fight O'Reilly, Cashman, etc. It kept him up nights..not when is will Ken Hodge, or Don Marcotte coming to town but the fighters. Of course Schultz is in the minority , when your job is to intimidate and fight -the gm is a little different...a bad or embarrassing loss could cause you to lose your job.
So for 99% of players .......the hitters are more fearful.

[Cat Smasher]

Anyone can attempt to fight and throw a punch, however not everyone can play tough and punish you.

Be punished every shift you play vs having to fight for a few seconds? Easy.

[Shoryuken]

Originally Posted by battleship25

For most of the players it would be the hitters, no question.

I think that about sums it up. Case in point: Pat Lafontaine would be highly unlikley to be knocked cold fighting a player like Francois Leroux - he simply wouldnt get into a fight with him, that was a job for guys like Rob Ray - however during open play:

Pat Lafontaine Elbowed by Francois Leroux -...

[V12_Bi-Turbo]

Originally Posted by fansince65

How true , a friend I worked hunted and fished with had his 15 year old son wind up in a wheelchair from a hit from behind , his neck was broken .
The boys name is Ken Allure .
That hit he took is the one that is responsible for the "STOP" on the back of all hockey jerseys .

Well said Turbo ..

I am sorry to hear that story.. example how the game we all love can also destroy somebody´s life I mean life of the whole family affected

[I like Boobs]

The entire premise of this thread is certainly more than a little convoluted - "Will hitters cause more consternation than fighters" is something so ridiculous that you just have to shake your head. First of all there are no such thing as teams completely full of hitters or teams completely full of fighters. Typically the most physical guys are also guys that also drop the gloves - not always of course, but often. Secondly, everyone who has played hockey, or even watched any amount, will be able to tell you that its about 600 Percent more likely that you'll be injured by a hit (Clean or Illegal) than you'd ever be in a fight. It's just something that is so common, you'd think it would be just be known and understood. Hockey is a game played with honor - you almost never see guys like Kocur/Twist/etc... attacking anyone without provocation. Was Lindros more worried about fighting an opponent or Scott Stevens catching him with his head down? Did Pat LaFontaine fear the random attacks of whomever, or being creamed? Marchment and Kasparitis injured more guys with knees than their fists... Big hits happen on a nightly basis.

Does this really merit a thread?