Bernier sharp in debut with Monarchs

YOUR COMMENTS

Let's remember that it is the Union Leader's job to report on Manchester Monarchs games. It is their job to inform readers, via both words and photos, about what happens at Monarchs games. Since fighting is a part of professional hockey...which it definitely is...naturally the Union Leader needs to report it. If the Union Leader didn't occasionally print photos of players fighting, the Union Leader would be remiss in its reporting responsibilities. Yes, the answer to any and all questions about the fighting photo is as simple as that.
- Allain, Manchester

Who cares?

Turn on the news and you'll see worse things every night. Assault, murder, rape....real violence, not a consensual and regulated fist fight between two trained combatants.

Fighting may be archaic and increasingly unnecessary in today's game, but it is still a part of the game. It is a violent sport with or without the fighting.

If you're worried about sending your kids the "wrong message", you can be sure that they are being exposed to much worse from TV, school, etc. That is a distinct fact.
- Alan, Manchester

As far as the picture goes, I think it's inappropriate. Mostly because hockey has so much action going for it, and fights are secondary. There were a lot more goals scored than there were fights. You couldn't find a picture of one of those?

And since this topic has moved over to here, here are my comments on the article that started all this:

've been a hockey fan for around 40 years and do like the fights, especially when it's between two enforcers. I know they're just doing what they like to do. But I wouldn't miss fighting at all if it went away. The thing that bothers me most is the way the fans get into it. It just seems like they're so bloodthirsty.

Yes, college games do have occasional fights, but they're really rare. The penalties are pretty stiff. Yet, without that fighting they still seem to somehow get fans. And I don't care what anyone says about playing with "heart", college games are nowhere near the skill level of AHL. The players themselves say it. But they get fans to pay up. And all that stickwork that fighting is supposed to prevent doesn't happen.

Hockey is losing ground to baseball and football in terms of getting the fans in. I know of more than a few people who are turned off because of fighting. The grand majority of each game is such a great display of skill, grace, and plenty of violence, but the fights turn people away.

I think that if pro hockey made a real effort to ban fighting we would get more fans than we would lose. Isn't that worth it?
- Marc, Derry

Fighting is a part of many sports. Physical play will lead to a fight. In the instance of the photograph, this picture is completely appropriate. People who go to the hockey games understand that fighting does occur. There are many children present in the arena and they watch these fights take place. THe difference is, kids who are involved in sports like hockey understand that what happens on the ice stays on the ice. They don't carry it over into the parkinglot. Once the on ice fight is finished, it is over. That is the difference between people who know sports and those who don't.
For those who are adamently against fighting, find another sport because no matter what, fighting will always be a part of hockey.
- Mike, Manchester

I think the point people are missing here is the reason why fighting is a part of the game. Teams often target thier opponents best player and are very physical with them on the ice. That's why teams need an enforcer (ie. Kevin Westgarth). He comes off the bench and lets the other team know stay away from our guy or else.

If you don't like fighting don't go to the games and don't be a fan of the sport. However if you are a hockey fan this type of raw emotion that you see on the ice is probably one of the reasons that you love the sport so much. By the way I was at the game and Westy was on the short end of that fight.
- Alex, Bedford

If the only defense of this fighting is that it is "a part of hockey," then it could easily enough be "not a part of hockey," and we could be done with it. The best hockey is college and Olympic, and there is no fighting. They have to play hockey instead!
- Red, Manchester

The fighting in hockey is unfortunate. When the Monarchs came to town some years ago - it was fun to go to the games and take the family. But the constant fights have turned me off from the game. In my opinion - hockey needs to look at itself and figure out why its not OK to fight in HS and College - but suddenly when you are in the pros - it is OK? Is that really the lesson we want for our kids? In every other sport - fighting is not only not OK - it is against the rules. When will the hockey people figure out that is why this sport will never make it "the next level". It really is a shame - because the game of hockey is exciting to watch.
- Luigi, Bedford

Fighting is one of the highlights of hockey, get over it. You aren't a true hockey fan if fighting offends you.
- Mark, Manchester

I hate to see fellow Americans supporting censorship. Fighting is a part of hockey, some will say the best part. If you dont like it, dont let your kids play it or go to games, but don't support censorship.
- Matt, Bedford NH

Are you seriously arguing about a picture? Come on people, this is part of hockey. You don't like it don't go to the games. This is a family sport and there is hundreds of kids at the games watching there favorite team win!
It isn't about the picture, it is teaching your children wrong and right. Your child once 18 will make there own decisions whether you taught them one way or another. No matter what type of parent you are it is still a 50/50 chance which way your child will go in life.
Go Monarchs!
- Theresa, Manchester, Nh

You have got to be kidding me!!!!! Someone is upset about a picture of a fight at a Hockey game, I have heard it all now.
How many shoot um up and kill video games do these people let their kids play???? And they complain about a photo of a Hockey fight. Go back under your moral rock and let us enjoy life.
- Joe, Manchester

If you need to question the picture you already have an answer.
- Tixo Taylor, Manchester, NH

The guy in the white looks kind of like Jack Black if he did a move about hockey. People, stop complaining......it is hockey! If you don't want to see this, look for a website that covers that wussy European sport, soccer.
- Frank, Londonderry

I attended the game on Saturday night and saw the fist fight between the two players. What seemed inappropriate was not the factual record of it in the paper, but the fact that the referees let the fight go on for about two minutes as three of them stood watching as they "put up their dukes" then proceeded to bash each other in the face, then tear at each other's jerseys. If anyone can clear up why this was allowed to happen, please do so. Oh, and the other three attempts at fights on the ice that night following this one? They were immediately broken up. Very odd behavior - from the refs. Otherwise, an excellent game and wonderful entertainment experience at the Verizon. BTW, McClaren of the Sharks started the fight, but Westgarth sure did fight back.
- Stephen, Manchester

Was the fight the most noteworthy part of the game? Then the photo is appropriate. If not, perhaps it should have been put inside the sports section, and not on the cover.

Either way, i agree with Julia. if your only concern is that you don't want to explain it to your kids, then that's called shirking your parental duties. There is a lot in this world that I don't like. I can't shield my kids from it all. Instead, I use it as teaching opportunity to discuss why we don't like it. It's called parenting.
- Jennifer, Atlanta, GA

After attending a hockey game once, I actually had a great talk with my son about how rough sports can be and he should think carefully about what sport he wants to play and what kind of player/person he wants to be. Without real life photos like this, we hide this perspective from our children when they should learn from it. We cannot protect them from everything, so let's help them choose wisely.

As a side note, I actually had my son at this game last night and when this fight broke out, my son said that he could see where the frustrations of being slammed around on the ice can lead to this aggression. He then said he was glad he saw it so that he could play onother sport. One parent asked why the refs just stood around and let them go at it. While the refs do this for their safety, I did hear another father say, "It's just part of this game. Taking it away would be like turning pro football into a game of 2-hand-touch."
- Jon, Bow

I was at that game and Westgarth actually took the worst of the battle. Sugar coat things all you want, hockey is a contact sport; So is boxing and football, are you going to hide your kids from those sports too? If you are going to be mad, be mad that the picture depicts Westgarth in control of the spat. You don't have to take your kids to hockey. You don't have to let them see Unionleader.com.
- Dog, Derry

I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out!

Football, hockey, boxing...even soccer are all violent sports. I for one am tired of media coverage being manipulated and find raw coverage such as this photo to be refreshing.

Don't like it? turn the page, change the channel, turn off the radio.
- JB, New Boston, NH

Although a negative aspect of hockey it is part of the game. Stop trying to shield your kids from negativety and start teaching them about it.
- Julia, East Rochester

That's why it's not called badminton.
I love hockey, Northwood
- Raymond E. Pinard, Northwood, NH

I totally agree with Paul from Gilford. Your cover photo and caption seem to glorify violence. The hockey player "delivers" a punch to a member of the opposing team, as if the punch is an accepted or even respected part of his athletic performance. Was this a hockey game or a boxing match? Do hockey players face consequences for violent acts? Why is there no commentary on the fight in the acticle that accompanies the photo?
- Barbara, Manchester

Paul - congrats on your appointment to the Moral Police. I'm glad there are people like you who look for fire when there's no smoke. Fighting is a part of hockey, like it or not. Deal with it and please stop speaking for everyone else.
- Josh, Manchvegas, NH

While I completely support the minor league teams in Manchester, and I believe they are an assett to the community, this photo is a poor choice for your front page. It represents the most negative aspect of the sport. By choosing this photo to represent last night's game, hockey in general, and essentially all of the other minor league clubs in NH, you are sending many messages to your reading public. Whre is the positive one?. Remember you are also representing your newspaper when you make choices of what to print or not print. CLearly this is step in the wrong direction for the Union Leader, one toward the seemingly nationwide obsession with tabloid-esque media coverage.
- paul, gilford