Four Purposes Of Penalty Moves In Ice Hockey

Things happen for certain reasons. Take, for instance, the tirade of violent moves in ice hockey tournaments. If you are curious what purpose penalty moves achieve in ice hockey games, you are viewing the right page. Check out the nuts and bolts of violence in this contact sport. Know why players and coaches can't resist the temptation to let out their inner beasts. Read on.

• CROWD DRAWER AND PEOPLE PLEASER. Do not be surprised how many thousands of people turn to ice hockey just to catch on the fever and thrill of watching some bloodshed (or engaging in a few by themselves in fan vs. fan brawls).

Although some ice hockey teams are composed of females, those that are loved by the crowd are mostly the male teams – aggressive, violent and unpredictable. The game even gets plus points if the game officials fail to spot a few penalty moves that teams smartly cover up and get away with without any calls and corresponding penalties.

• MORALE BOOSTER OR DOWNER. Violence is an unspoken agreement among teammates. Seeing the star player or leading scorer of the opposing team down just gives the members a rush of adrenalin and blood, and hope in the game.

The morale comes from the team's collective alpha-male drive to dominate the sport and emerge as the winner. Nobody wants to lose in the game, so do not be shocked how blatant the human fighting spirit can get. The effect of violence to morale goes both ways. It can boost that of the perpetrator's team, and it can also crush that of the injured player's team.

• STRATEGIC GAME STALLER OR POINT INHIBITOR. Penalties are being used by coaches to stall the opposing team from racking up points. Winning teams rarely use the tactics. Losing teams, however, are more daring and will often target the highest scorer or the strongest player of the opposing team to take a fall.

The goalie can also be the target of violent attack, but since all eyes – including the referee's – will be on the goalie once a team on the offense advances, the move is difficult to pull without getting called by officials for a violation. Injuries and mild discomforts can inhibit even the best players from scoring effectively – and this is the principle that the losing team is quick to exploit when playing dirty.

• EGO TRIPPER. On the lowest level, penalty moves can go as measly as giving the players enough challenge to get away with the violent moves unnoticed and unpunished. Of course, if the players do get caught red-handed especially with penalties exhibiting the clear intent to injure another player or to hit the butt of the opposing team with a stick, they could be evicted from the game. For an aggregate of minor penalty moves caught and called, the referee will usually award the opposing team with a penalty shot – a 2 to 4-minute opportunity to score a goal that is unguarded by the regular field players.