Jan 24, 2015
Thumbs up to the Blackhawks, thumbs down to 'inspirational' fighting
Dave Hodge gives a thumbs up to the Chicago Blackhawks, while his thumb is down to "inspirational" fighting in the NHL.
By Dave Hodge
I don't necessarily blame a player, or a team, for thinking that a fight or a game full of scraps might deliver a spark. Hockey's rulebook doesn't say you can't fight - it merely says you shouldn't fight if you want to stay out of the penalty box. But, time and again, my thumb points down when I see how "inspirational" fighting is carried out. Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, perhaps tired of hearing that he's not providing the necessary leadership, picked a fight with Milan Michalek of the Ottawa Senators. It earned Phaneuf a unanimous decision and a heap of scorn. He should have fought Chris Neil.
The Philadelphia Flyers figured nothing else was working, so they might as well call on their Broad Street Bullies history and rough up the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sure enough, the Flyers showed more spirit than is usually the case this season and they won the game. But the accent on violence led Zac Rinaldo to demonstrate a predictable lack of discipline in the form of a boarding infraction that knocked Kris Letang out of the game. Rinaldo was ordered to depart, as well, and will answer for his actions in a Monday phone hearing with NHL Player Safety. He'll be contrite, which wasn't the case immediately after the game when he basically took credit for the Flyers' victory. He won't be participating in any others soon, as he faces a lengthy suspension. There wasn't a better way for Rinaldo to deliver his message? Of course there was, but he doesn't know it. And among NHL players, he's not alone.
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Assessing the NHL season at this break created by the All-Star Game, I will deliver a qualified thumbs up to the team that has impressed me the most so far - the Chicago Blackhawks. To explain, my capsule comment on the 'Hawks is that they often leave me wanting more. Their most recent win was a 3-2 decision via shootout over the injury-riddled Penguins.
Chicago led 2-0 and it appeared the final score might be 5-0. Never mind that the Blackhawks removed their skates from the pedal and allowed the Pens to come back, because Chicago won, right? Well, sure, but there have been other similar games, just a few that represent the difference between where the 'Hawks sit in the standings - third in the Central division - and where they should be - first in the league. I'm not prepared to say that the All-Star voting, which sent five Blackhawks to Columbus before any other players were named, proved anything, but there was no real objection to the support received by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford. That's because they represent the team that many others think is the NHL's best. I'm guessing that others might join me in wanting to see more proof.