How to Fight in Ice Hockey

By stepping on the ice of a hockey ring, you are in a circumstance where you may very well end up in a brawl. Every September, there is a hue and cry of protest against violence in the NHL. Every May, the same voices are raised in blood-curdling support for a favored player as he drops his gloves and squares off with an opponent. There is, however, more than one way to fight.

Instructions

    • 1

      Watch a movie of Gordie Howe (see Resources below). It was Howe who defined his own version of a hat trick, "A goal, an assist, and a fight."

    • 2

      Learn Howe's subtle little tricks, a stick butt into the ribs while setting up for a face off, a face wash while separating from a grapple, a trip behind a referee's back.

    • 3

      Realize that when Howe fought someone, they were so exasperated that they had lost all reason--making them "easy pickings."

    • 4

      Keep your jersey inside your pants. Your first move in a fight should be an attempt to get your opponent's jersey over his head.

    • 5

      Inflict as much damage as possible with the jersey up. Not only is your opponent limited from throwing much in response, but usually the damage you inflict will not draw blood. Damage without blood is rarely considered damage unless an opponent loses consciousness.

    • 6

      Separate immediately upon inflicting a reasonable amount of damage. If your opponent comes at you in an attempt to even things up, engage in a well executed retreat, defending yourself, but making it obvious that your opponent is the one who is completely out of control. There is always an outside chance you'll only be called for roughing while he gets one for fighting.