Bigpic....... A few more lessons.

Every "hit" or contact that is made, is an attempt to check or take the puck off of the opposing player. There are interference penalties called if this is done without the presence of the puck. The line changes are well choreographed "on the fly" without play stoppage, otherwise it can also result in a" too many men" penalty. It also keeps the game moving, as it is supposed too.

Lastly, the game is fast, intense, and hard hitting, so fights do occur. The reason that the gloves and helmuts are removed is because it is a historical protocol between opponents, and also, you cannot win a fight bitch slapping someone with your gloves against their visor. They allow fighting, so that the guys won;t start chopping at each other with their sticks. or skates. Most fights end up without too much damge to either player. Last I saw, they also fight in football, basketball, and Most other Major league sports, and those fans are no diifferent, and in fact are more violent themselves.

I will agree about the woman figure skaters though.............

Cheers