And the hits just keep on coming…
So, the Maple Leafs are still far less than a 50% win team. In fact, around the league, teams are excitedly anticipating the next time they get to play us… you know, another shot at setting single-game team scoring record, a guaranteed win… I mean, how is this bad for anyone but us?
This year, the NHL has seen what feels like an upsurge in hard “clean” hits that have resulted in serious injuries. I’ve heard different theories, from “It’s part of the game, suck it up” to “if we hadn’t enforced rules about fighting so seriously, this wouldn’t be happening” to “All right kids, do we have that cued up? All right… so kids, watch this. I hate to show this again, but let me tell you kids, you can’t skate into a corner with your heads down like this. That’s not how you play the game… keep your heads up.”
Part of it really is related to the basic physics of the games: put people on skates, tell them that the faster they move the better, and watch the bumper car bash that results. Part of it probably is people forgetting fundamentals like “Keep your heads up kids.” I’m not sure if there’s actually anything else the league can do unless they tell people to slow down. Or, you know, not hit people when they aren’t ready in the middle of open ice. That might work, but it would detract from the competitive effect of body checks.
I’m not sure that there’s an easy answer, but I will admit that I’m totally over watching guys get wheeled off the ice on stretchers. The game needs to change. Someone (probably someone who makes more money than I do and makes it for dealing with hockey) needs to come up with a plan.
More fights = less injuries. It’s perhaps too simple for some to understand!