[blaquebyrd]

Where's all the outrage at the thug mentality in the NHL? What with the neck-breaking blindside cheap shots that drive the opponent into the ice face-first, and the old jugular slashing with the blade of ones skate to the neck, I'd say there's more thug like mentality in the NHL. What do hockey fans tell their kids when they see blood puddles on the ice after a sport sanctioned fight? Do they say look at how your role model just lost all of his teeth and got knocked the hell out? But I'm sure they where suits so it's ok.

[blaquebyrd]

where = wear

[Alberta's Child]

One interesting characteristic of the NHL is that hockey players are generally the most fan-friendly of any major sport. Off the ice, most of these guys tend to be very laid-back, quiet, and even downright humble (especially if they come from small rural towns in Canada or the Upper Midwest).

I think that has a lot to do with the perception of NHL players in comparison to NBA players. You simply don't have as many off-the-field incidents in the news involving NHL players.

[headsonpikes]

Where's all the outrage at the thug mentality in the NHL?

You're joking, right?

The thuggery of the '70s was beat back in the NHL at the beginning of the Gretzky era. Now, they have distorted the penalty structure for fighting('instigator' rule etc) in vain attempts to make The Game fight-free. It's a mistake, of course.

The occasional spontaneous scrap is part and parcel of hockey, as played by men.

I don't know enough about jewelry and sneakers to comment on NBA demonstrations of manhood.