The movie Slap Shot documented a minor league hockey team that is down on its luck. The Charlestown Chiefs are a losing Federal League hockey team whose games are poorly attended. In order to bring back fans, the team often participated in publicity stunts that were meant to fill the seats. As a means to renew local interest, the team resorted to playing gritty, hard-nosed hockey. This type of violence was meant to appeal to the working class of the city-Charlestown was a declining factory town and the fate of the hockey franchise was dependent upon the fate of the industry in the city. Eventually, their coach plays the Hanson’s and quickly discovers that their aggressive fighting style excited the fans (i.e. Broad Street Bullies.) Thus, he began to reshape the team in the Hansons' image, which saw attendance quickly increase. Capitalizing on this growing interest, he plants a false story with e that a Florida retirement community was interested in purchasing the team in order to bolster the confidence of the players and to sell the team. Playing in their last game, the Syracuse Bulldogs forfeit, thus giving the Federal League championship to the Chiefs. The team celebrates by parading around the ice with the championship trophy. Slap Shot embodies the anarchist values of the rugged 1970‘s and the rampant counterculture of a generation whose values and norms of behavior differed substantially from those of mainstream society. As a historical document, this film provides a valuable insight into a rebellious era. Much of the youth during this time-and anyone else, in fact-had plenty to groan about regarding the decade's struggle. Using hockey as a tool for rebellion, it illustrated, both in a socio-political standpoint, but and in... ... middle of paper ... ... life today- washed up players, poor management threatening to relocate a struggling franchise, life on the road, scores of crazed fans (i.e. the “Puck Bunnies”), and the challenges away from the rink. Slap Shot effectively documented the struggle that all minor league hockey players possessed during a tough time in hockey history. Furthermore, Slap Shot reinforced my perception that sports is a positive experience. Slap Shot is relatable as it documented the love for the game we all possess. Even though the Chiefs were not a great team, many of the players still played simply for their love of the game. While I’m sure they all had aspirations to be successful, playing the game they love with their friends was the most rewarding experience ever. Ultimately, Slap Shot documented the underdog that overcame adversity by changing strategies and personnel.
“Molson asks owners to stop violence” Chara, Zdeno. The Canadian PressIntervew. Sportsnet, 10/03/2011. Print. 31 Jul 2011. .
The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.
As long as there have been sports, there has been violence in them. Ice hockey, particularly due to its increasing popularity as a professional sport, has brought up several ethical issues regarding the act of fighting in hockey. There are strong arguments for both sides of this present problem in the world of hockey. Numerous male athletes, including children as young as nine years of age, have suffered injuries as an outcome of fighting and it should be considered if it should be part of a sport that very young people grow up with (Brust, Leonard, Pheley & Roberts, 1992).On the other hand, fights create excitement and the sport of hockey might grow in terms of popularity, making the problem of fighting in hockey complex and difficult to resolve (“Towards An Explanation Of Hockey Violence: A Reference Other Approach”). Even though hockey is known to be a very aggressive and fast-paced sport, the unsportsman-like action of fighting in hockey cannot longer be tolerated.
Teenage films are often thought of films focused on issues such as teen angst, conflict with parents, coming of age, and most notably rebellion. Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause(1955) is one of the first films that could be classified as such. In today’s times, many films that fall into this genre follow the same structure as Rebel without a Cause in that perceptions and activities of youth defy what is considered to be a seemingly more stable adult life. Prior to Rebel Without a Cause, there wasn’t a film that challenged the ideas of masculinity in society and the struggles that teenagers endured in that era, so it is no surprise that the film is considered to be the poster child of youth rebellion in the 1950’s. Ray brings to light a
“The NHL (national hockey league) is not in the business of comforting people, they’re in the business of entertainment, and if fighting represents a way to differentiate themselves from an entertainment stand point, then fighting isn’t going anywhere” In the 2014-15 season 1,230 games were played, and out of those games 391 fights were in action. 29.91% of games had fights, 45 games had more than one fight. Taking fighting out of the game of hockey is too big of a risk. I think the fans will be disappointed and the entertainment level will go way down. In my paper I’m going to write about why fighting in hockey should stay and why people think it should also.
Hockey is one of the most dangerous sports to play today, not because of the fast pace of the game, but because of the some of the equipment that is used. The most punishing and non forgiving piece of equipment in hockey is the puck. The word puck became mainstream in 1867 in Canada. It is possible that Halifax natives, who were Irish, introduced the word to Canada. The hockey puck has evolved over the years it came into existence just like the game itself. People have tried and failed to think of news ways to make a hockey puck, but only one way has proved itself to be the only one. Without the puck there would be no hockey culture. Lets lace up the skates and skate our way into what the hockey culture is and take a look at how the puck has created this culture from the beginning of its time.
Gillis, Charlie. 2010. Not just our game, anymore: the hockey landscape has shifted. Can Canadians keep up? Maclean's. (8): 40-41.
When someone thinks of the sport of ice hockey, one of the first things they think of is the fact that fighting is a common occurrence in it. It is almost a guarantee that if you ask someone who is not an avid fan of the sport what their favorite element is, they will say something about the fights. A commonly heard and repeated quote is “I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.” However, over the past few years the question of whether or not this component should still be allowed in the game has been a cause for argument and controversy. There are suggested pros and cons for what impact banning fighting from the sport of hockey might have, but for now nothing has been done to change the rules and regulations. The question to look at is, how has fighting in hockey evolved throughout history to get us where we are today, and should it remain in the game because of its history? Or should it be banned because of its history?
Theberge, Nancy. "'It’s Part of the Game’: Physicality and the Production of ender in Women’s Hockey.” In The Gendered Society Reader, edited by Michael S. Kimmel, Amy Aronson, and Amy Kaler, 73-80. Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Geoffrey Canada’s characters in Fist Stick Knife Gun use violence to increase their status and honor, and to make themselves stand out from the rest of their group as being more powerful. Canada’s violence is necessary to his characters as it is their only way to distinguish different people’s power. Canada’s characters also use violence to save their lives, as the adults in their life cannot protect the children. Canada writes: “status was a major issue for boys on the block” (Canada 18), a very blunt yet compelling statement that describes the importance of “status” for the boys on the block. “On the block,” respect and power means everything, as social order is decided by these qualities. Canada argues that in the South Bronx this “status” and social order could only be decided ...
March 8th, 2004 was supposed to be nothing more than a competitive and action packed regular season hockey game between feuding rivals, the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks. The game slipped away from the Canucks, with the Avalanche up 6-2 heading into the third period. The heated contested already had its fair share of fighting majors, but an incident that happened late in the third period shocked the more than 18,000 fans in attendance at Rogers Arena, the hockey community, and North America. After failing to instigate a fight with Avalanche forward Steve Moore, Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks grabbed the back of Moore’s jersey, landed a vicious punch to the back of Moore’s head, before slamming him face first on the ice and falling on top of him. Moore had to be helped off the ice on a stretcher, and has never returned to the NHL. Bertuzzi, on the other hand, was suspended for 20 games by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and is still playing in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings. This is one of many examples of deviance in sports, and how a win-at-all costs mentality can drive athletes to act in extreme manners. As a result of the growing commercialization of sports, athletes are socialized at young ages to believe that winning is everything, and that stopping at nothing will help you succeed. Athletes will do almost anything to gain the upper hand in their respective sports, whether it is through engaging in excessive on-field violence or through the use of performance enhancing drugs, excessively committing themselves to their sport, or by violating league rules and policies. In sports, deviance is viewed in a different light than in the outside world. As professional athletes strive towards conforming to spor...
...slapshot from the point. Two minutes later the puck broke loose from one of the other team's defensman and landed on our most talented player’s stick. He is not only as fast as lightning but can also stick handle around any NHL team blindfolded. He made a quick move to the left, and then to the right. He took the shot which went top shelf on the right side. The second I saw the net move I knew we had done it. The underdog team defeated the 1st ranked team in the state championship game for Missouri high school hockey. An uproar from the mob of people could have been heard from two miles away. I couldn’t believe we had done it. We beat the odds, and took the cup. I felt shivers travel down my bruised and cut body. The hard work did pay off, for we had done it. The tears were flowing like the water dropping from the Niagara Falls. We were State Champions.
“‘Athletics last for such a short period of time. It ends for people. But while it lasts, it creates this make-believe world where normal rules don’t apply. We build this false atmosphere. When it’s over and the harsh reality sets in, that’s the real joke we play on people’” (Bissinger xiv). “Friday Night Lights” shows the darker side of high school football. Players are taught to play games to win, and thats all that matters. Football players are put under a tremendous amount of pressure, almost enough to be considered unfair. Even though football is a “team sport”, pressure on individual players is unnecessary. Some players have the burden of the team, the city, their family, and their future, resting on their shoulders. These players are put under pressure that is physically and emotionally damaging, not to mention future ruining.
The warm summer evening. The butterflies in the stomach. The determination and desire to win. This is a moment that many young men experience - Little League Baseball. But, unfortunately, schools lacking funding are looking to cut costs by getting rid of youth sports. That is when Dick’s Sporting Goods, a company with resources to bring attention to this problem, steps up to bat. Their message is effective through the emotional and ethical tie it creates in the audience through the story of a young man who overcomes tragedy through succeeding on the baseball diamond. Relying heavily on pathos and ethos, this message touches the hearts of the audience, calling them to step up as well.
Americans have become addicted to gaining quick rewards of satisfaction through sports and action because they want to be entertained thoroughly without needing to ponder any hidden meaning so it doesn’t take away from the pure entertainment of the action. In his time, Bradbury was fearful of the way that the television’s empty shows were in invading every home in America. The culture in the novel demands for “everything (to be boiled) down to the rag, the snap ending” (Bradbury 52), leaving nothing for the viewer to ponder; they would rather enjoy themselves “a solid entertainment” (Bradbury 58). The same is true in today’s movies and shows, in which most must contain many action scenes in order to keep the viewer’s attention, and the meaning and symbols must be clearly spelled out for them. This is also why Bradbury includes sports as being the main focus of schools in his story, since th...