With the recent actions of the NHL, I feel that they are taking full notice of the fact that hockey is a rough sport. I feel that some of the suspensions are worth the suspensions and fines that are being assessed. I also feel that some players are getting too strict of suspensions and fines that are being given out because of the bad media that the NHL has been getting for the actions of one player, Marty McSorley. To find that answer to this question all that anybody has to do is go to a hockey game and wait for a fight to break out. The fans will rise to their feet and look to the ice for the moment that they have all been anticipating.
Fans cheer on their hometown fighter and applaud as the opponent's contender hits the ice.
One-time NHL player Perry Turnbull has also described fighting in hockey. The league knows that the fans come to see a fight or two during a game, and they have adjusted their rules to allow it. A good example of how fighting sells more tickets is the St. Louis pro roller hockey team, the Vipers. In 1995, without fighting, the Vipers averaged 3,500 in per game attendance. A year later in 1996 with fighting in the games the average when up to 6,900.