By Michael Kelley ’14 & Mick Kowaleski ’14

“I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.”

Kowaleski: The famous Rodney Dangerfield quote perfectly sums up the chase for the 2012 Stanley Cup. Or should I say, the “biting, scratching, and clawing for the Cup”?

There has been an exceptional number of fines, suspensions, and penalty minutes doled out so far during the first round alone, the most in fact since 2006. Up to nine players have been suspended for a total of sixteen games and two players plus a coach have been fined a total of $15,000. Even teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have typically shied away from dirty play, have been scrapping during their series with the Flyers. When you see Sidney Crosby starting fights, you know something strange is going on.

Personally, I love physical play. I can see these developments mirroring the NFL’s concussion dilemma, and I think the NHL will have to go through the same identity crisis that the sport of football will go through in terms of player safety. I can’t stand dirty shots, of course, which is why Arron Asham’s crosscheck and punch on a defenseless BraydenSchenn is an exception to my Roman-esque affection for gladiatorial sports. Fights are a part of the game, too, for better or worse, and I don’t really mind them either. Physical play and ferocious checks are going to be a part of the game in its purest form, which is why I don’t see the point in people throwing fits about these altercations. If the players wanted safety, they would have chosen a different line of work.

Kelley: I agree with you here. ESPN recently retweeted a fan who said he now loves hockey after watching a first round game between the Flyers and the Penguins. All of this fighting, as barbaric as it may be, is helping the NHL gain some much needed notoriety. More people are tuning in to hockey on a regular basis and the commissioner has to be happy.

The main problem of player behavior will be addressed this summer, according to NHL head of discipline BrendanShanahan. However, behavior will not change without significant punishments being dealt out- hence Asham’s four game suspension. This is going to severely limit and prevent players from their usual antics that would go unnoticed or lightly punished in the past.

Adding to the headlines, players and coaches have made numerous controversial comments, most notably Rangers coach John Tortorella’s remarks directed at the Penguins and superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

An article on ESPN the other day was titled, “Welcome to the goon show.” A goon show it is but I can safely say that the NHL is not complaining as TV ratings are soaring.

NFL 2012-13 Season Highlights—Top Three Matchups

Kowaleski: You know the NFL is the premier sports league in America when the schedule is broken down and analyzed with the fervor of a fanboy watching the new Avengers trailer frame-by-frame (I should know, I belong to both parties). Here are my top two NFL games to watch in the 2012-13 season:

1) Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots, Oct. 7. After a year off, we finally get to see the premier quarterback rivalry of all time resume. Peyton Manning, if healthy, will take last season’s playoff-bound Broncos and turn them into instant Super Bowl contenders, which will make an already anticipated matchup with Tom Brady’s Patriots even more so.

2) Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears, Sep. 13 and Dec 16. The NFC’s answer to Ravens-Steelers also got a huge bump in excitement with the Bears’ trade for quarterback Jay Cutler’s favorite target, “The Beast,” Brandon Marshall. With an offense that can keep up with the Packers’ elite attack, Da Bears will have more than a terrific defense to fly high with the Pack, who feel that their last season ended two games shorter than it should have.

Kelley: 

1.) Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2. We all know by now how much I love the Steelers. Even if I were not a fan of them (impossible), I would still be pumped for these games. That is why I cannot wait for this rivalry to add another two (maybe three) intense chapters to its book. Now that Flacco has proved he can beat the Steelers, it has added a different twist to this battle.  Both defenses are brutal hard hitting clubs and this is always a must watch.  Correction, *every Steelers game is a must watch.

2.) San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints, Sun., Nov. 25. Audio tapes from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams telling Saints players to target Frank Gore’s head, Michael Crabtree’s ACL and Kyle William’s concussion history (“Knock him out”), are adding intrigue to an already amazing game.

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