Reflections of Isau (4)

[Eynhallow 412]

In this brief article I would like to broach the controversial subject of physical play in hockey.  The scope of this article will not truly give the subject the attention it deserves, but it is only a reflection.  In the days of the Broad Street Bullies, every NHL team had its fair share of grinders.  This was brought to the world stage in 1976 when the Red Army played the Philadelphia Flyers and objected to the physical play by leaving the ice surface.  They did return to lose to the Flyers 4 - 1.  This was the only game North American teams won against Russia that year.  In recent times physical play of that nature has been largely phased out of the game.  There are fewer fights and players are more heavily penalized for, as an example, an elbow to the head of Valeri Kharlamov as delivered by Ed Van Impe in the game mentioned above.  In 1976, there was no penalty called.  Now an action like that would likely result in a multi-game suspension.

 

So what is the role of physical play.  Thehockeyopinion recently rated the most physical bubble teams.  The top five look like this:

 

Dallas Stars 40.80 Hits/Game

New York Islanders 40.47 Hits/Game

Las Vegas Golden Knights 39.22 Hits/Game

New York Rangers 38.66 Hits/Game

Tampa Bay Lightning 38.62 Hits/Game

 

Note that 4 of these 5 teams were in the conference finals and two were in the cup final.  In conclusion, this suggests that physical play certainly retains a role in modern hockey.  This does not mean a return to the wild donnybrooks of the 1970’s and 80’s, or dangerously illegal creative stickwork.  It does mean finishing a check and it does mean closing off space.  Most modern players are able to embrace this without accruing tons of penalty minutes.

 

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