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Dropping the Gloves

(from the Greeley Tribune)

By S. Scott Rosenberg
The Tribune

March 5, 2007 - DENVER -- Fighting isn't glamorous work, but it's a crucial element of hockey -- even in today's NHL. 

Occurring for several reasons -- sticking up for the stud or changing the momentum, for example, Colorado's Ian Laperriere knows someone has to patrol the ice. Through Saturday's games, Laperriere has taken a league-high 15 major penalties. 

"I don't do that for my own sake," Laperriere said, numerous scabs adding character and color to his face. 

Despite the rugged job for the league's sheriffs, Laperriere said fighting will remain a big part of the new penalty-phobic NHL. He said fighting represents a big draw for fans. 

"I know they want to bring the scoring up and they want more offense, but three-quarters of our fans love our game because it's physical," Laperriere said. "Let's be honest here. Every time you get a fight, everybody is on their feet. 

"It should be part of our game because that's what makes our game different from other games. In our game, you have to be careful of what you're doing out there because you're going to have to pay the price if you're not respectful." 

On-ice fighting earned national headlines and some criticism when Ottawa and Buffalo squared off on Feb. 22. After a crushing check from Ottawa's Chris Neil left Buffalo's Chris Drury dazed, the Sabres sent out tough guys that sparked a 6-on-6 brawl. The fight between Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery and Buffalo goaltender Martin Biron served as the highlight of the television coverage. 

"I guess that's a little old school hockey there," Avalanche defenseman Ossi Vaananen said. 

At the NHL's trade deadline last Tuesday, Pittsburgh acquired enforcer Georges Laraque from Phoenix to protect the league's face of the future, Sidney Crosby, in the Penguins' push toward the playoffs. 

Laperriere applauded Pittsburgh's decision to add Laraque. 

"I think he went to the right team," Laperriere said. "I think everybody in the league wanted him to go there to protect our best player in the league right now (and) for the next 10, 15 years." 

Also at the trade deadline, the Avalanche ensured they will have a powerful force for the rest of the season, adding Scott Parker in a trade with San Jose. Parker has eclipsed 100 penalty minutes three times in his career. 

Vaananen, who is one of the other Avalanche players to have fought this season, said the enforcers must recognize the time and circumstances before engaging in a fight; it can't be the enforcer's only focus. 

When a fighter makes an appearance, the rest of the team ensures it was worth it. 

"Trust me, if they didn't appreciate it, I would stop fighting," Laperriere said.