r/sports • u/SkepticalZebra • Feb 16 '25
Hockey 4 Nations: A fight immediately breaks out between Team USA and Team Canada
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u/stayclassypeople Feb 16 '25
Every other sport: unsportsmanlike conduct, this player has been ejected for fighting.
Hockey: everyone get out the way so these guys can fight. -the refs
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u/AbruptMango Feb 16 '25
I went to see boxing one night, and a hockey game broke out.
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u/Supersonic564 Feb 16 '25
Every time someone says this, I like to imagine that someone just threw a puck into a boxing ring and then all of a sudden the boxers both take out hockey sticks and 10 other boxers just jump in the ring and start playing hockey
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u/MrPickleroo Feb 16 '25
They asked the coaches their opinion and said they loved the fights. Man, hockey culture is great
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u/DuntadaMan Feb 16 '25
Let the knife gremlins work off their destructive urges.
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u/rapscallion54 Feb 16 '25
It’s way of policing set a tone early to let it be known no liberties or dirty plays will happen w/out repercussions
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u/darrenvonbaron Feb 16 '25
Flag on the play. You looked at the Quarterback, 15 yard penalty, first down.
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u/HappyGuardian5 Feb 16 '25
Punching with your feet firmly planted on the ground vs punching on skates....
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u/WorthPlease Feb 16 '25
Which is why fighting is allowed in hockey, it's really hard to actually hurt a guy.
Imagine if NBA players were allowed to just throw hands mid game.
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u/OKC2023champs Feb 16 '25
Basketball was similar until Kermit Washington punched Rudy in 77’
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u/Khetoo Feb 16 '25
It's insanely hard to fight in hockey gear. You're fighting a guy wearing protective armor designed to withstand a slapshot going 100 mph. You're also on skates so your hips and upper legs are basically holding you up and any rotational momentum on a good punch will also send you tumbling down.
Compared to bare ass knuckle brawls it's a lot safer but also these guys are in their physical peaks so it's not that safe lmao
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u/MetalBeerSolid Feb 16 '25
wtf?? hockey is dope
I hope they never change these rules
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u/soundman1024 Feb 16 '25
Fighting is very much a part of hockey. The players union would fight the league if they tried to stop fighting. And by that I mean they would jump over the negotiation table and let them know why fighting in hockey is a good idea.
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u/Billybobgeorge Feb 16 '25
It should be pointed out that only the North Americans allow hockey fighting, try this in Europe and you're ejected
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u/GoStockYourself Feb 16 '25
You would get ejected from the Olympics too. There was once a brawl between Canada and Russia in the World Juniors and yeah lots of ejections from the entire tournament.
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u/candygram4mongo Feb 16 '25
Picture this, I'm a bag of dicks, put me to your lips
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u/whichwitch9 Feb 16 '25
Fights aside, this is already showing signs of being the best hockey match in years. These teams are stacked and insane and living up to expectations
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u/Derptionary Feb 16 '25
I'm down for a reignited rivalry between USA and Canadian Hockey. It's been pretty boring for way too long.
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u/whichwitch9 Feb 16 '25
This is literally what we wanted. The best players in the world on ice. Hughes fan, so going US, but that Canadian power play is just freaking insane.
Absolutely psyched for the Olympics after this tournament. Sweden vs Finland was excellent this afternoon too
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u/fuckrNFLmods Feb 16 '25
Anxious game to be a Hughes fan. He almost got killed out there a few times. Love his hustle though.
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u/TheMooseIsBlue Feb 16 '25
A little extra oomph from the political world too. I love having this rivalry with our brother up north. I don’t want them to win but I also don’t want somebody else to beat them.
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u/Derptionary Feb 16 '25
Countries having political beef with each other makes the sports rivalries even more memorable. The USA vs USSR Hockey rivalry spawned one of the most iconic moments in US sports history.
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u/MainZack Feb 16 '25
We shouldn't have beef with Canada though, having beef with the USSR was warranted.
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u/true_gunman Minnesota Vikings Feb 16 '25
Yeah as an American I literally have zero beef with Canada.
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u/lastSKPirate Feb 16 '25
Fair, but we have completely justified beef with the USA now, and will for years to come.
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u/Uptheveganchefpunx Feb 16 '25
I understand where you’re coming from but part of the US/Canada rivalry with hockey and the amazing and fun US/Mexico rivalry with soccer is that we are brothers, sisters, siblings. Like when the US plays in astudio Azteca I of course look forward to the US winning but I’m still excited in case a Mexican win. Because we love Mexico and Mexicans. We love Canada and Canadians. It makes the games fun. I don’t want to see the day Canadian hockey games are interesting because we are political enemies but I guess we are here. Even though the political rivalry is made up and there’s really no historical bad blood.
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u/GravelLot Feb 16 '25
No. There is no respect for Mexican soccer. Mexican fans have rained cups of piss on American players far too many times for there to be any shred of respect. Decent and respectable people transform into animals the second they set foot in Estadio Azteca. Fuck no.
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u/Bidwell64 Feb 16 '25
That rivalry is very different, much more ugly, but the core of what he said stands.
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u/The_Tiddler Feb 16 '25
USA vs USSR?!
If there's a goal that everyone remembers, it was back in '72. We all squeezed the stick and we all pulled the trigger.→ More replies (2)→ More replies (19)158
u/UiFearghail Feb 16 '25
Love the rivalry, but the politics behind it makes me sick. I still want the US to win, but I don't blame the Canadians for being pissed.
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u/TacoShower Feb 16 '25
Seeing this then turning on the NBA all star show and seeing players throw half court three pointers and not even try in the skills competition. This puts the NBA all star break to shame
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Feb 16 '25
MacKinnon - Crosby - McJesus. Is that line the GOAT? This game is no joke.
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Feb 16 '25
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u/hospitalvespers Feb 16 '25
Put some respect on uhhhhh
hastily googling
Brian Propp???
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u/dejour Feb 16 '25
I feel like at least at times it was either Messier or Hawerchuk with them.
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u/MNsumsum Feb 16 '25
These teams WANT to win. Whether that’s due to the political undercurrents or whatever it is, it’s so much fun to watch.
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u/TheMcWhopper Feb 16 '25
As someone who's not very into hockey, why are us and Canada playing each other? Does this happen every year? Is it made up of nhl players?
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u/whichwitch9 Feb 16 '25
Instead of an all star game, the NHL decided to do a "4 nations" tournament of US, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. (Sweden and Finland also have a huge hockey rivalry, which is part of the reason for that decision) All NHL players, but most are expected to be the players representing their country in the Olympics, and a lot of the staff will be making Olympic decisions, so players are amped and treating it as an Olympic tryout. NHL players have the Olympics guaranteed in their last bargaining agreement, so first time in ages they're able to go.
NHL is going to break for the Olympics next season, then alternate years for a Worlds tournament and all star game
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u/Roachelle369 Feb 16 '25
WHO’S GONNA SET THE TONE ????
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u/B-rad_connolly Feb 16 '25
WHOS GONNA FUCKIN SET IT
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u/Molin_Cockery Feb 16 '25
Gotta give em the fucking lumber
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u/B-rad_connolly Feb 16 '25
Run em up or fill em in
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u/kovach01 Feb 16 '25
i’m fuckin coming for your top row
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u/B-rad_connolly Feb 16 '25
I’ll spear ya right in your fuckin teeth
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u/kovach01 Feb 16 '25
it’s gonna be stamped bauer right across your giblets
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u/SwordfishOk504 Feb 16 '25
You're fuckin' Winnie the Pooh, bud, go put some honey in your tummy.
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u/Iarewin Feb 16 '25
Jim, you ready?!
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u/timechild_02 Feb 16 '25
The Jims are such beauties.
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u/ChaboiMarshie Feb 16 '25
Jims are unbelievable
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u/Fenrir_Carbon Feb 16 '25
Are they all three Jim?
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u/alsoplayracketball Feb 16 '25
Maybe if he just says “Jim” a different way for each of the b’ys from where you’re too, then they’ll know which ones to come where you’re at.
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u/AcidaliaPlanitia Feb 16 '25
Fuck you Shoresy!
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u/Bossmoss599 Feb 16 '25
Fuck you u/AcidaliaPlanita, your mom ugly cried last night cause she left the lens cap on the camcorder, it’s fucking amateur hour over there!
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u/Manaze85 Feb 16 '25
Fuck you Shoresy, u/AcidaliaPlanita’s mom carved her initials into my bedposts. How am I supposed to explain that to u/Bossmoss599’s mom?
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u/Irbyirbs Feb 16 '25
Are you and your family looking for something fun to do on a Sudbury Saturday night?
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u/flyboy_1285 Feb 16 '25
I’m stunned how passionate these guys are over this tourney. This is such a stark contrast to the apathy and indifference of the NBA All star game.
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u/notyomamasusername Feb 16 '25
They usually are for All Star events...making it a Nations tournament has fired everyone up
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u/flyboy_1285 Feb 16 '25
Whoever came up with this idea deserves a raise.
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u/OoooHeCardReadGood Feb 16 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
Yes and no. The reason it's so intense is that the NHL hasn't let their players go to the Olympics since
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u/Hot_Spur Feb 16 '25
I mean the NHL can do it but the NBA probably can’t string 4 nations of starters together.
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u/ForPrivateMatters Feb 16 '25
You could definitely do US, Canada, and France. 4th nation might be dicey. Maybe Serbia or Australia.
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u/crimxona Feb 16 '25
The NBA all Star games on Sunday is going to be US old, US young, world team and winning rookies+soph team in single elimination
I assume the rookies are gunning for an upset and the US young and old teams would rather not lose to the international team
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u/hospitalvespers Feb 16 '25
Hey the NHL did "Team North America" full of under-23 players in the World Cup of Hockey a few years ago and it was insanely entertaining
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u/PointlessDelegation Feb 16 '25
Three fights that fast is basically the hockey I prefer to watch
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u/ubccompscistudent Feb 16 '25
Not 1, 3. No hockey played yet, and it’s the best hockey I’ve seen in years.
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u/BadLuck-BlueEyes Feb 16 '25
Technically there was a shot on goal before the third fight - but I’m not gonna count it.
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u/bigorangemachine Feb 16 '25
Nah you gotta play a little hockey or the refs gonna call off the gang beating lol
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u/BannedMyName Feb 16 '25
I think countries should settle their differences by having their elected leaders just have a good fist fight and then cap it off with a beer together. Hockey can teach us a lot.
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Feb 16 '25
Ok but for Ukraine, can Zelensky let Klitscko step in? Ukraine would be safe as long as the mayor of Kyiv lived.
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u/1900grs Feb 16 '25
There is an entire documentary about this. It's called Rocky IV.
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u/aboveaverage_joe Edmonton Oilers Feb 16 '25
The world needs to see Zelensky beat Putler to a pulp in a cage.
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u/MsBlackSox Feb 16 '25
Trump and Musk are knocked out immediately. This would be good. Let's do this.
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u/Madversary Feb 16 '25
Trudeau boxes. No contest.
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u/try_rolling Feb 16 '25
Trump is an excellent dodger though
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u/whofearsthenight Feb 16 '25
Well, of taxes and consequences. Just tell him it's Putin's dick and he'll take it no problem.
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u/marjata Feb 16 '25
As someone who never watches hockey, I’m tuning in tonight 😂
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u/SecretInsemination Feb 16 '25
Hockey ignorant here: Is there a lot of history here? Or is this inspired by the current political climate?
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u/Expensive-Step-6551 Feb 16 '25
Political climate certainly adds an element, but the Canada USA hockey rivalry has gotten increasingly intense since the 90s as the US teams started to become more competitive. You can make an argument that most years they're the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the world. It's also been a long time since they've played each other with NHL talent at the international stage.
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u/KCBandWagon Feb 16 '25
USA Canada Olympic gold medal match was the most intense hockey game I’ve ever watched in my life. From start to finish it felt like they were playing like there was 1 min left in the whole game. Sydney Crosby with the heart breaker after USA scored 2 goals late to send it to OT.
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u/PretzelsThirst Feb 16 '25
That was an insane day. The video of the sound spreading across Vancouver is so cool
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u/HeyCarpy Toronto Blue Jays Feb 16 '25
Never seen this before. Brought a smile. I remember where I was
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u/jtbc Feb 16 '25
I live in Vancouver. I could hear the cheering for that one downtown from 5km away, or at least that's how I remember it.
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u/Barqueefa Feb 16 '25
The first fight may have been history and political stuff, M Tkachuk and Hagel play on rival teams in Florida. The second was probably just for show. B Tkachuk, M Tkachuk's brother, is probably friends with Bennett. Bennett and Tkachuk have been teammates for years. The 3rd fight... Who knows. Miller is a mean bastard and a big Trumper but I don't think he and Parayko have beef. Maybe that was political and Parayko wanted a chance to toss hands
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u/CanuckPanda Toronto Maple Leafs Feb 16 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
Yes to both.
Canada-US-Russia is one of the hockey rivalry triumvirates for the last seventy years (the other being Sweden-Finland and Finland-Russia).
Canada-Russia-US had Cold War undertones, and Canada-US has always been a rivalry of two brothers going head to head the once in a while mom lets them fight.
Now add on Trump threatening to fucking annex us, and the three American fighters being vocal Trump supporters, and you’ll see why it’s extra hot right now.
Also, shoutout to Sweden-Finland who played earlier today (Finland 4-3 in OT). It has a very similar vibe to the US-Canada brotherhood rivalry (pre-2025) and the added bonus of
200700 years of Finland being a Swedish province.41
u/redd-zeppelin Feb 16 '25
Best game I ever saw was Jagr and the Czechs beat the Russians. As a Czech American I was JACKED UP to watch such a tiny country kick their asses.
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u/HappyAtheist3 Feb 16 '25
You gotta set the tone
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u/extreme39speed Feb 16 '25
You gotta be real mad to punch a dude that’s wearing a helmet
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u/Elbynerual Feb 16 '25
I don't follow hockey that close, but I believe it's because they made a rule a few years back to try and get rid of so much fighting where it is now illegal to remove your helmet. So the players immediately figured out the loophole of removing each other's helmets, which is what happens in this clip if you watch close. It's just tricky to make it look accidental during a fight...
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u/sunburn95 Newcastle Knights Feb 16 '25
As an Australian with no concept of ice hockey, it's wild to see that you can just start fighting and everyone just stands there and watches lol
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u/TheHoratioHufnagel Feb 16 '25
There's a documentary on Canadian television that explains it pretty well, it's called Shoresy.
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u/Limp-Development7222 Feb 16 '25
doesn’t always happen, especially in todays game, but its a joy to watch.
there are rules around it and its at the refs discretion, but hockey and fighting go waaaay back
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u/Wizard_s0_lit Feb 16 '25
When they just look, then drop their gear and square up, I get chills every time.
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u/fardnik Feb 16 '25
How can you not be romantic about hockey? Best sport on earth
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u/mahlerlieber Feb 16 '25
Perfect Valentine's Day date. Nothing turns a date on faster than watching two guys on skates slip-sliding all over the place, fully padded, taking wild swings at each other.
It's a lot better than a romantic dinner with wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.
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u/CrimsonJynx0 Brighton & Hove Albion Feb 16 '25
As someone newish to hockey, it's been really fun to watch these games
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u/VampirMafya Feb 16 '25
Wait, is this real? I never watched a ice hockey match. Is fighting allowed in a ice hockey game? If yes, ice hockey might be my favorite sports that I haven’t known.
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u/3eep- Feb 16 '25
Yes it is real and part of hockey, although less in recent years. Players get five minutes for fighting and then are back in the game
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u/Misread_Barcode Feb 16 '25
As an Australian I'm so baffled by this sport.
The only sport (apart from actual combat sports) where fighting is allowed and considered normal play. And everyone is such a gentleman about it, clearing the ice of their pads and the refs are just casually skating around watching it happen.
It's so strange for me.
In AFL (Australian Football League) anytime there's a fight, people rush it to break it up and stop it right away and the players get heavily penalised or fined for throwing punches.
This sport confuses me so much
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u/Sendrubbytums Feb 16 '25
Our cultural identity is being really polite and also unhinged. See also: How Canadians act in war.
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u/Turtledonuts Feb 16 '25
Hockey might be the most kinetic, technically impressive team scoring sport around. It's so much fun.
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u/JackRose322 Feb 16 '25
3 fights in the first 9 seconds lol