Heroes and Zeros

So it has been quite some time since I have updated this spot... call me uninspired, short on time, or stricken with a bad case of Writer's Block. It has been nearly a year.

So I have to wonder if playoff hockey is some kind of inspiration?

Let's call it a powerful motivator in this case.

To be sure, I am a Wing's fan. So if you watched the game or caught any hockey news today, you likely know where I am going with this.

What happened last night to Detroit's Tomas Holstrom in Ahaheim's Honda Center was a choreographed criminal act. If you'd like to review it just to make sure we are on the same page, you can check out the coverage on Versus-- http://www.versus.com/nhl/#, "Holmstrom leveled by..."

Keeping this in mind, I climb up on my soapbox.

Over nine years ago, I never watched hockey-- didn't care to. It was too violent, I felt. And this was usually the objection I offered up when dad asked if I wanted to watch a game with him. Nonetheless, I got hooked. (A little hockey humor... very little...) However, in passing through the living room one day, I saw a young Sergei Fedorov tear up ice to slip past both defensemen to score a beauty of a goal. Then he did the same thing two more times and I saw my first career NHL hat trick. He scored five goals that game and I fell in love with hockey. Anyhow, I learned that hockey didn't have to be about nasty hits and violence, that it really was a game of skill.

Three Stanley Cups later, I still believe that as I have seen reward for talent and teamwork and dedication to the game come full circle. It's a beautiful thing.

But nights like last night and players like Rob Niedermayer and Chris Pronger make me sick-- on a couple of different levels.

First, as a hockey fan, playoffs are about watching teams who are the best at what they do-- playing hockey. That does not mean injuring the other team's key players to neutralize their effectiveness so by default you are the better team. It means being great competitors and excellent sportsmen-- the best of the best. Certainly, Pronger and Niedermayer are the worst of the worst. Is your skill in hockey or cheap shots? It is hard to convince potential hockey spectators of the value of a sport marred by criminal acts. (And if you wonder whether or not this is really "criminal" ask yourself, "If this same thing happened at the mall or at a local park, would someone face criminal charges for it?")

Additionally, do we have to start placing viewer's ratings on hockey games? Many television shows get a "TV PG" rating for moderate violence. Maybe I shouldn't be letting my son watch? Niedermayer and Pronger, get a grip. You have kids watching you who love the sport. Many of them like my son also play the game. You are role models for these kids. To this extent, what is the future of hockey? A fine example to set, what a tradition to carry on. Moreover, what sound thinking parent would want to risk their child's well being for such a sport?

This is all to say that the NHL needs to put violence in hockey in check. It is my highest hope that a suspension for both Pronger and Niedemayer is forthcoming. Many are saying that Pronger's role in this is the one to be questioned. Looked like a cooperative effort to me. Looked like an planned intent to injure to me. Still, it looks like it didn't do the Ducks one bit of good.

Good.

By the way, I know hockey is a team sport. And I also know teams have their leaders. Homer has been essential to the Wings playoff victories. He is priceless in front of the net and is a quiet enforcer for shifts spent with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. His commitment to his team was visible in the thirteen stitches that accompanied him to the ice for the start of the third period. Looks like an MVP to me.

Okay. I'm off my soapbox now.