Why do referees let hockey players fight?

Actually it is a 5 minute MAJOR for fighting, the only time you see them sent out for 2 minutes is a MINOR for roughing and usually when the other person won't do anything. I've seen refs get between players to stop them from fighting on a few occasions. When the guys throw down the gloves though the refs usually let them fight because there is an unwritten code of conduct behind fighting, it serves a true purpose to the game. Anyway though the refs will let them fight so the refs don't get hurt getting between fists being thrown. As soon as the guys drop to the ice the refs will get over them and break it up. If the players get out of hand, espically cases when the players are joining in after the first fight, then you see a Game Misconduct and the guy is kicked out for the game.

RE:

Why do referees let hockey players fight?

Any other sport, it is a penalty. Why is it ok in the NFL? I REALLY want to know, not just because the fans like it. Plus, it's more dangerous fighting on ice rather than football or baseball players being on grass!

Fighting IS a penalty, and the combatants are usually sent away for anywhere from two minutes to the rest of the game, depending on the fight. The sort of continual physical contact that goes on in hockey can create considerable animosity between players, which often erupts into a fight. The ref will sometimes let two players work off a little of their anger before sending them to the penalty box.

Hockey fights generally do little damage. It's really hard to throw an effective punch on ice skates.

Referees do not allow players to fight in a hockey game. The perpetrators are punished with a penalty of 5 minutes.

I think your question is why are the penalties not more severe in Hockey than in other sports. Actually they are more severe as far as the game is concerned. Players who take an individual fighting penalty are out of the game for 5 minutes and their team must play short handed during that time.

Penalties in hockey are very extreme compared to other sports. If a baseball team had to play without a shortstop for an inning what a disaster. Think of an NFL team having to play one short on defence for a couple of series. think what a Manning or Brady would do then.

Because in hockey the alternatives to fighting can be quite scarey (Stick swinging or kicking) fighting is mild.

It s like this philosophy- If you don t like getting wet stay away from beaches, If you don t like getting sweaty stay away from Florida in the summer, If you don t want to gain a lot of weight stay away from donut shops. It s all about testosterone. People stop trying to unmasculine guys. Part of our lives like to watch and at times participate in a good man to man fight. There are countless times that 2 guys would fight a brutal fight then right after have both a beer TOGETHER in a friendly manner. Hockey is no different. I watch hockey so that I hope a fight breaks out-PART OF MY MASCULINITY. This is why guys like wrestling, ufc, mma.

Hockey is a tough sport so when you need to fight you fight

to stand up to them and to protect your teammates. The referees stop the fight when the loser is on the ice are when it slows down. Also the fans like it and the players don't mind it

its part of the game.

In this sport, it is a penalty (a 5 minute major to be exact). They let them fight because the game is naturally aggressive and these things are bound to happen.

In football, you hit the other guy on every freakin' play. In baseball, it's too slow of a pace to really start fighting. And if you even think of touching someone in basketball you get called for a foul.

I don't see how it's more dangerous to fight on ice. It's more difficult too fight on ice than on grass.

just to start off, I believe you ment to put NHL rather than NFL.

but back to your question, as was said before you DO get a penalty, however, in most cases, mostly in the NHL, fighting raises tension and sells. as bad as that may sound.

for example, ever noticed at a hockey game that when a fight breaks out, mostly everyone is on their feet cheering?

It is different depending on the level of play tho..

I myself, have been playing 11 years, and i play on a girls team and fighting/contact is banned. wich i think is absoloutly rediculous...

anyway, i hope i helped...

They let them fight as its an original part of the game. Its exiciting and fun to watch and most Hockey fans enjoy it. Its also a penalty which is 5 minutes.

So they can make some side money betting on outcomes and still keep their jobs.

Seriously, the prevailing attitude is that allowing them to fight gets the players tired so that they are easier to seperate and fighting is seen as a safety mechanism for a very frustrating game to play.