The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

In my mind, it was bound to happen.

And now that it has, I can't believe it did.

A young 21 year-old man named Don Sanderson died after being three weeks in a coma, the result of being involved on an on-ice hockey fight after his helmet became dislodged and his head made hard contact with the ice.

This incident will no doubt re-open the debate on whether fighting has any place in hockey. And whether or not you're in favour of a dust-up in the middle of a hockey game, you have to throw away the argument that no one gets injured in these fights, many of which are pre-meditated between two NHL heavyweights having to justify their salary. Today in a press release that is far less important, it was announced Senators call-up Cody Bass is done for the rest of the season, requiring shoulder surgery after having a fight with the Flames' Eric Nystrom.

Most people know my stance on fighting, and remember this is a guy that enjoys watching a UFC card. I watch hockey to watch hockey. I like the big hits and the battles for the puck that require effort and determination. I'll admit I've never turned the channel because of a hockey fight or hell, I've might have been seen cheering on Chris Neil as he got himself into another scrap.

But I've never felt ripped off after a game because no one dropped the gloves. The best hockey games I've seen: World Juniors, Olympics, World Cup, Stanley Cup playoffs...no one fought. And it is the only sport where bare-knuckle brawling, on top of a hard surface no less, is allowed.

Think about this: Even the UFC mandates their fighters wear gloves. And their mat has some give when they go crashing to the ground.

And once again, whether or not you think fighting has a place in pro hockey, you should not be surprised a hockey fight has produced the first death in its history, and if it continues, more will follow.