From: mattb@ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: HATS OFF AND STICKS DOWN (old time hockey, eh?)
Date: 1 Sep 92 16:55:33 GMT
Reply-To: mattb@olympus.ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Organization: Cabletron Systems INc.

(Christopher Raczka) writes:
>(devin newell) writes:
>> With the helmets off players will learn to respect the weapon/scoring tool
>> in their hands.  A player will willingly learn to keep his stick down
>> partly out of respect for his oposition, but mostly because his own scalp is now exposed.  Also players won't be so eager to goon it up when the result
>> is a few blows to the melon that aren't stopped by space age plastic.
>
>I disagree
>All you have to do is watch hockey from the 30/40/50/60/70's
>and you will change your opinion
>The NHL is taking the WRONG way out, by taking high sticking
>down to the waist and giving players the option to wear helmets
>Suspensions and fines are the only cure for the stick swingers
>maybe after a few more people are seriously hurt, they'll get it
>chris
>    " Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish
>      Do not overdo it. "

Interesting contrast between your .sig quote and your suggestion for the NHL.

My own opinion is that the "waist rule" is a little silly (too low), but
putting it where it belongs (elbow level) is much harder to call, and allows
too much swing range (ie, once a stick is at the elbow, it doesn't take much
to have it swing up to the face by accident.  Also, as I interpret it, they
are calling contact or near contact, not just any "stick above waist" instance.

I think that both the rules changes _and_ the suspensions/fines are the way
to go.  I am concerned that the helmeted players will play just as recklessly,
while the helmetless will tone it down. I think the result of this will be
obvious, and that the fines etc will be needed.  Maybe some fanatic from each
team can keep track of how many high stick penalties go to helmeted vs helmet-
less players per team.

Chris, your mention of what is now "old time hockey, eh" is correct overall,
but that atmosphere helped keep sticks down (a stick in some one's face 
meant three or four of his teammates in yours, gloves off).  There were lots
more fights, both scrums and bench-clearers, but fewer "stick in your eye"
incidents. Anybody who carved was considered a vile coward.  Real men did
their plastic surgery in the corners with their elbows.  My favorite story
(reduced to an anecdote 'cause my sources are at home) was about Gordie Howe
with the Aeros.  Gordie was notorious for having the meanest elbows in the
league, and he was such an artist he was rarely caught. It was rumored
(jokingly) that he used a pencil sharpener on his elbows when he was with
Detroit.  Now, in Houston, he was getting the unparalelled chance to play
on the same team as his sons.  Well, some rookie goon (the name escapes me)
decided to plaster one of the Howe boys into the boards.  Did Gordie make a
big show of it, jumping over the boards? No. He didn't even look angry. He
did take note of that number. Later in the game, after a fairly non-descript
check in the corner, Gordie skated away calmy, while mister rookie slumped to
the ice. Somehow, his nose had assumed the appearance of a crushed tomato.

I am not advocating a return to "old times" in any way. Such stories are
interesting and amusing in the same way dinosaurs are interesting and amusing.
I do think that a change in the stick carrying mentality will come slower
than people so far have speculated.  It would have come maybe a season sooner
if the rule was "no helmets".  But I think we won't see a real majority shift
for several seasons, if at all.  Think of it this way: Many players, especially
Europeans, have rarely played without helmets. What will their attitudes be,
and how long will it take them to learn to keep sticks downs? It won't be over
night.  There may be lots of players who won't take off the helmets at all
after the trading card pictures are taken in the exhibition season.  Whether
they are smart or chickenshit, in an individual fan's opinion, may be a function
of how much "old time hockey" that individual fan has seen.

Matt
Shoot! Score! Toe Blake! Old time hockey, eh coach?