It is a safe place, a haven where the players are protected from the glare of thousands of prying eyes and legions of screaming, demanding voices. Many of the Enforcers have told me that they block out the sound of the crowd out when they fight. So if you think that it is your cheering that is edging most of them on, the Enforcers are reaching deeper than you realize. Most are actually only able to enjoy the acolades after the fight has ended. Besides the justifiable ranting from a losing coach, the only scrutiny that the teams are offially subjected to after the games is from the press.
Most reporters see a clear separation between professionalism and their love for the game.
To come off as a fan is considered taboo. So most write in such a way that the reader seldom picks up on their partiality. Admittedly it takes something out of a story because no matter how well it it written it lacks heart. As the demand from the fan base increases to experience what the athlete experiences through the words of the journalist the standard is rapidly changing. This gripping new style of journalism has captivated readers and helped to maintainstream hockey.