Comments on Black and Blue: The Unofficial Lincoln Stars Blog: Fighting in the USHL article; USHL commish takes a...

when I was up in Sioux City for the Fall Classic, ...

2012-01-19T18:11:03.553-06:00

when I was up in Sioux City for the Fall Classic, the discussion on fighting came up. from what I was told, the league would like the players to keep their helmets on for the purpose of preventing concussions but there is no penalty for taking them off. but they don't want any "dancing around" before the fighting actually starts. so if the helmet comes off, the fight must begin quickly. and considering all the players have at the very least the half shield, it would make fighting with the helmet on a bit awkward. and a full cage would be even more of a hindrance to punching one's opponent in the jaw. this of course is fine as long as both players are courteous enough to allow your opponent to take off his helmet before engaging him. at the Classic, in the game between Muskegon and Green Bay, Dakota Mermis got ambushed by the kid from Muskegon before he could get his helmet (with full cage) fully off.
also I think Coach Johnson does not really like having the players fight but is not so naive to know that sometimes it is necessary. I think we all would expect someone to come running to Teichrob's or Williams' defense if a player from the other team charged the net too aggressively. also I would expect them to defend their teammates in the case of a questionable/dirty play along the boards.

Hey Skippy???? Which team has lead the league in ...

2012-01-19T17:44:17.211-06:00

Hey Skippy????

Which team has lead the league in attendance 9 out of the last 10 seasons????

Other than Hanson, I can't off the top of my h...

2012-01-19T13:42:52.164-06:00

Other than Hanson, I can't off the top of my head think of many players who have lost significant time due to injuries sustained in a fight. Most of the injuries from what I can tell I believe happened during a "legal" play or a hit during the course of the game or possibly practice. The league is trying to crack down on concussions, but eliminating fighting is not the only way to go about it. Crosby's concussion was not caused by a fight, it was caused by getting hit with his head down. The NHL is cracking down on hits to the head, I'm not sure where the USHL stands on this policy, but I think that there are more things the league needs to do to eliminate concussions and other injuries.

I don't have a problem with the fighting as lo...

2012-01-19T12:58:48.575-06:00

I don't have a problem with the fighting as long as there is a reason (cheap shot or running the goalie). I think the league is trying to cut down on some of the injuries sustained during fighting (concussions, broken hands, etc.). It was just a matter or time before this filtered down from the NHL level. Not many pros take their helmets off to fight anymore to avoid injury. Lincoln has certainly lost their share of game time to injuries obtained while fighting. But hey-who doesn't like to watch a fight now and then-must be the caveman in us lol. I did think that we got the anti-Lincoln sentiment out of the league when Gino left but guess that's not the case.

I think the context is in play here. I'll play...

2012-01-19T12:58:08.327-06:00

I think the context is in play here. I'll play devil's advocate and say Lincoln was the example simply as the team with the highest number of fights last season. If it were another team - then he'd say them.

But - there's no correlation between less fighting and greater success either.

That said, in light of Green Bay's performances the commish's comments are hypocritical and he's jumping on the bandwagon now that head injuries and its relation to fighting are on the front burner.

I think fighting is a necessary evil, and grudgingly accept it, though I do not like the employment of 'enforcers.' Skill guys will knock the crap off if they know THEY have to drop the gloves. Would it be nice to see it gone? Maybe - but I'm not going on a debate. That's for another time.

I understand the fighting as long as there is a le...

2012-01-19T12:51:34.801-06:00

I understand the fighting as long as there is a legitimate reason (cheap shot or running the goalie). I think the league is trying to cut down on the fighting because of the injuries-and Lincoln has sustained quite a few missed games due to fighting. With all of the talk of outlawing it at the NHL level it was just a matter of time before it filtered down to the USHL. Not many NHL players take their helmets off anymore to eliminate concussions due to fighting. If a fan goes to the game just to see the fights he's not a true fan of the sport. Seems like we all like to see a fight now and then though-must be the caveman in us lol.

Total lack of class on his part. You know the comm...

2012-01-19T12:36:42.597-06:00

Total lack of class on his part. You know the commissioner is in tight with all the officials...makes you wonder what they all talk about behind closed doors when they've got their feet up and the beers flowing.