Dumb Traditions

It was interesting how the bench incident in the Canada-U.S. game on New Year's Eve just sort of disappeared.

Canada, knowing Chris DiDomenico was taunting the U.S. bench after a goal just as Jimmy Hayes had done the same to the Canadian bench earlier, certainly didn't want any investigation, one that might have got Stefan Della Rovere suspended for his actions.

The U.S. meanwhile, didn't want tournament officials trying to figure out with American player on the bench stuck his stick in DiDomenico's face. That player might also have been suspended.

So both countries chose silence, and the tournament directorate just let it vanish. Fair enough, I suppose. Rick Nash was once able to hook a referee with his stick in an IIHF tournament and get away with it.

But here's one issue worth exploring. Where in the world did this dopey tradition of a parade to the bench for high fives all around after every goal begin?

It's childish. Watching NHL players do it like they were peewee players is laughable. What ever happened to the great tradition of the game in which a goal was scored, there would be a celebration near the net, and then they'd just line up and drop the puck again?

Having teams skate right in front of the opponents bench after a goal is simply taunting on a team-wide scale. Moreover, in a heated game, you're just asking for trouble. Basically, you're allowing teams to celebrate twice - once in a little hug session, once with a fly-by for high fives at their bench.

It's the dumbest tradition in hockey, and hockey doesn't need this stupidity. Bobby Orr never did it. The great Oiler teams of the 1980s never it. Where it came from isn't clear, but I wish it would disappear as fast as it came.

Comments

[Andrew]

I couldn't agree more.

[Sanj]

Well Damien it's this youtube generation that feels the need to seek attention. They are young punks that think they are better than everyone else because they play a game, get paid millions, and get all the hot chicks.

[Chris Maxemuck]

Here here!!!!! Damien you are right on.....Stupid, childish naive antics. So much for spoorstmanship........Chris

[Dean]

I agree Damian. I used to coach High School Hockey and I hated it when other teams would do the "skate by" after scoring on us. I agree with you that its childish, and poor sportsmanship for that matter. I forbid my teams from doing it.

What ever happened to teaching young men sportsmanship? I remember when I was a young athelete, I always looked up to guys who were sedate when they scored on the opponent. Bobby Orr was a perfect example. He almost looked embarrassed when he scored a spectacular goal. Another good example was great running back Earl Campbell. He used to run over guys into the end zone. Instead of taunting them, or disrespecting them, he would simply place the ball quietly on the ground and return to his teams bench. Classy.

[Ghwomb]

I agree. If you don't include the few times it happens because it has a story behind it. For example if a player gets criticized because he don't score enough goals, and then gets a hat trick or a goal withing the first few minutes into the game.

[Sandy T.]

I don't remember when, exactly, but the first time I saw it done was in an NHL playoff game when a particularly important goal had been scored. It was probably in the era after the players were prohibited from leaving the bench en masse to fight, or celebrate.

When it began to be done for every bloody goal in every bloody game I don't know, but I find it, and big loud honking horns following a goal by the home team nothing more than obnoxious. Whatever happened to letting us hear the crowd cheer when a goal is scored? That's more stirring than foghorns and flashing lights. It's kid stuff at best, taunting at worst and classless, period.

[David]

I agree and disagree. A few thoughts: The Canadians were clearly taunting the Americans in that stick-in-the-face incident, as the Americans had done earlier. The sheer proximity to the American bench was a bit much... not very mature. Agree with you there.

That being said, celebrating goals with the entire team is a worthy practice. It pumps everyone up and plays a big part in the emotions of the game. It also gets on the other team's nerves a bit and that's fine... it's competitive team sports. After the final whistle, of course, I expect pure class towards the opposition, regardless of who won or by what margin.

[Peter, Paul and Harry]

Cox,

Every once in a while you come up with a blog that I can't help but agree with. Stop it!

[Marijan Kalman]

You are talking about sportsmanship, from the kids who are on every day basis see NHL players try to kill each other, hit to head, hit from behind, spit on each other,use despicable language behave like lowlifes, that is place where kids see this.
NHL that is run by scumbags who are encouraging this kind of things, THAT IS WHAT KIDS SEE AND EMULATE

[skyhawk]

In professional contact sports,where fisticuffs aren`t allowed,they also have a rule against "taunting".as long as "ice" hockey is compared to roller derby in the big tv money markets,what difference does it make ? if they ever take the NHL up to the pro level,where fighting in heavy contact sports, such as football,is grounds for removal from the game and possible later suspension,then it would matter.untill then,let`em taunt like idiots if they want. i agree it shouldn`t be allowed,but who really cares? certainly not the WWF fans who condone fighting in the game of hockey.

[Rob]

So in Damien Cox's perfect world hockey is a sport with no fighting, no celebrating and no intimidation tactics. Sounds like fun to me! If only they could stop throwing those silly bodychecks and instead have the players do a triple lutz every once in a while. But no smiling! The other team might take it the wrong way. Any detection of a smile and that player should be given a game misconduct.

Damien: Would it be alright with you if after every period the teams got together at center ice and had a discussion about what bothered them during the previous 20 minutes? Everyone could take things out and then "hug it out" before heading to the locker room for some tea and crackers.

My only real concern is would I be able to cheer for my team or is that a dumb tradition and considered taunting the opposition? Should we make the fans sit with their arms crossed at all times with a small round of applause allowed after a goal is scored? Perhaps instead of Andy Frost announing who scored the goal he could instead say "quiet down please."

Welcome to the year 2009! Celebrating a goal is now considered offensive. I give up...

Rob

[Chaptwo]

The first player I ever saw do this in the NHL, was Miroslav Frycer, years ago when he was with the Nordiques. What's worse is they have players benches side by side. So it's always going to happen.

[GoLeafs]

They are young punks that think they are better than everyone else because they play a game, get paid millions, and get all the hot chicks.

Sanj,

I can see why these 'young punks' think they're so great!

[Andrew]

The "Train" as it is called has been done for years to stop players from leaving the bench to congratulate a player after scoring. The linesmen are suppose to alighn themselves near the opposing teams bench so the scoring team will turn to centre ice. There is a taunting penalty that can be called when players purposly get to close to the opposing teams bench.

[Stanley]

As former NHL player we were taught to leave our junior tactics in junior, but some knucklehead Jr. coach made it to NHL and brought it with him, now all NHLers look like junior players. After you score, just line up and do it again. Remember stupid is forever!

[Paul]

Where was the Linesman? It's his job to shephard the celebrants away from the oppositions bench.

Where was the Referee? Call an unsportsmanlike Penalty!

It's really very simple, don't you think?

[kushiro]

Rob:

Congratulations on misinterpreting the point of the post and on blowing your response out of proportion. It's not about celebrating a goal; it's about over-celebrating. I am surprised you didn't manage to throw in an insulting comment involving commies or homosexuals.

Not every goal is a game-turning event, created by a miraculous combination of passes, dekes and magic shot aim. It's not like scoring a goal is some unexpected event; rather, it's kind of the whole point of the game.

Or would you rather the NHL turn into the NBA, where every single basket is accompanied by a blast of sound, an eardrum-bursting announcement of the scorer's name, and the player clutching his chest and screaming at the crowd and the other team, repeated 50 times over the course of the game.

Sure, celebrate the goal, but put it into perspective. When Theoren Fleury scored his overtime goal to extend the series against Edmonton in 1991, it was a tremendous moment that warranted his celebratory actions. Bouncing the puck off a defender in the middle of the second period does not.

[Owen]

Damien, bravo, bravo, bravo.....

[Jules]

I totally disagree. I think it's a good thing to include the whole team in the celebration of a goal. Simply skating near the bench is not taunting. I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating a goal. The team works hard to score and it's exciting when they do. If The opposing team should take it as motivation to play harder.

[Rob]

kushiro:

Who is to judge when a celebration is warranted? You? Me? Damien Cox? The coaches? Do the players need to check with the referees first before being allowed to celebrate?

The NBA example is ridiculous because as you noted - celebrations can occur up to and over 50 times per game. The NHL features games that sometimes have 2 - 5 goals scored. If you score the goal to make it 2-0, is a celebration warranted? What if you score the goal to make it 3-1? It's still a close game. Or 4-1? Turning into a farce of a game. What about 5-1?

I understand what you're saying (which isn't what Damien was saying) but by your logic players should be able to police themselves which we know can never happen.

Rob

[charade]

I'm of two minds on the topic. I do generally dislike hotdog players BUT

Regarding the pro's, I think it's a bit...rich to suggest that the sight of the other team giving each other daps anywhere from 5-20 feet away(the benches are beside each other but not actually ON TOP of each other guys) is going to drive them into a wild bloodlust fury.

FURTHERMORE

The league lags far, far, far, behind several sports(pro and otherwise) in the United States. It is really such a terrible thing for the players to show a little...oh boy...wait for it...emotion?

*gags*

I know, I know.

Listen, we are not seeing soccer-style celebrations(yet).

Case in point: when Jason Blake scored against the Sens last night his terrible act of provication was to:

Hold his hand somewhat between stomach and breast level.
NOT smile.
And skate by his team's bench making minimal contact with one of his teammates hands, also held somewhat between stomach and breast level.

OH THE HUMANITY!!!

[charade]

"Or would you rather the NHL turn into the NBA, where every single basket is accompanied by a blast of sound, an eardrum-bursting announcement of the scorer's name, and the player clutching his chest and screaming at the crowd and the other team, repeated 50 times over the course of the game."

Kushiro, that's simply not true.

No point telling lies to prove your point. Makes it look weak. Which I suppose it is.

[mario]

I was always told as a player --- "when you score a goal, act like you have scored before".

[cristobal]

Nice blog. I'll link to it. Thanks, hockeyhockeyhockey.
I have to say the IIHF is innept. With Juniors the rules need to be enforced in the right way and there needn't be any "favorites" played.
I don't like celebrations much but Hayes gesture towards the canadian bench wasn't over the top. Practically jumping into the american bench by 5 canadian players is. Tavares had his fun after his first goal and it should have ended there. In football/soccer players can celebrate with gestures like the hand to the ear, or shushing the crowd with finger to the lips, but you can't go and taunt the other team in front of their benches.
Besides, Della Rovere should have been ejected for a multitude of infractions and cheapshots.
I guess you can't get everyone to act like they've scored a goal before, but the taunting is crap.
I've played in front of some rude audiences and made some vulgar gestures towards them, but I got penalized. Isn't unsportsmanlike-conduct a penalty anymore?

http://worldhockeydaily.wordpress.com/

[Spence]

I recall seeing the team high-fives in the OHL for a few years before the NHLers adopted it.

And no American player's stick actually made contact with Chris DiDomenico's face; a blade barely glanced off of his visor. A helluva dive by DiDomenico, a skill that will serve him well on the Leafs.

The IIHL should have investigated and meted out suspensions for unsportsmanlike conduct and passed a rule forbading the practice.

On the other hand, until this incident occurred, the WJC tourney had been an absolute bore.