In hockey elbows up does not accomplish much against a nasty opponent.
They can still spear you in the back.
If you aren’t Gordie Howe, you better watch your elbows.
Players learned not to retaliate against Gordie Howe for his well known high elbows, because he was analogous to the “Honey Badger”.
If you were going to retaliate against Howe’s high elbows, you better be prepared to drop your gloves tout de suite and defend yourself.