I’m sure we’ve all seen the video by now.  A cocky teenager being called by his coach and father to attack, it was an attack, a goalie on the opposite end of the rink who could not defend himself.  He was probably just as shocked as we all were by what was happening.  Count them: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, tweleve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen(!) punches before the punk skates away giving the cheering and jeering crowd the middle finger. 

I know I am an idealist.  I believe that sports should be, above all, fun.  And I also understand and appreciate the fact that fighting is part of hockey.  I too, I admit, stand up and cheer at games when two guys get into it.  I get it.  But this was different.  This was an attack.  Assault.  It wasn’t instigated; unless you count being down 7-1 justification for brutality.  The other goalie, Bobby Nadeau, had his helment ripped off his head and was pummelled to the ground.  Because he was better.  Better than Patrick Roy’s prodigal son, Jonathan. 

Patrick Roy is a role model for young hockey fans everywhere.  Canadian hockey players come as close to having “Hollywood celebrity status” than most Canadian actors and he was treated no different.  Now, he has been given a five-game suspension by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and his son has received a seven-game suspension and a $500 fine.  The Quebec Justice Department is also looking into the matter. (http://http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDGwvGNXQcUkhYP2ouPvoTnq5NFw.) 

What do you think? Should fighting be completely banned from hockey? Or is it a fun part of the game if done smartly and responsibily?  Take a look at the video and then decide: