Written Task: Do you think mischief like dumping water into other players gloves, snowing goalies, or just generally being annoying has a place in hockey? What do you think about these little interactions that aren't technically against the rules, but can certainly throw players off their game and make them unhappy? I'm not talking about violent stuff, just annoying stuff. Is it fun? Is it entertaining? Or do you get mad when you see people doing that? I want to know what you think about pests and people that "toe the line" so to speak in sports. (150+ words)
My opinion on this type of stuff really varies with what it is, so I'm not entirely for or against it, but it is part of the sport and that isn't going away. We've seen it in the NHL playoffs, especially with Tampa Bay and Edmonton.
I don't like anything that can actually cause harm to the player, but not much of this pest stuff really does, and if it does, most would be by accident. For example, don't really like that 3 on 1 on MacKinnon the other day, flipped the stick in the air, I think that is fair game, but tripping a player when they're coasting like he was is kinda dangerous even if it's just really cheeky. I'm also one for some unwritten rules, shouldn't snow the goalie, giving them a couple of glove whacks in a scrum is okay though. Don't shoot the puck at the goalie.. like I said these things don't often hurt anyone but when the goalie eases up, I've seen one go down from it.
But other things like a little squirt of water while they're passing your bench, chopping their stick, showboating a little too hard to rub it in, it can be fun to see when your team ain't involved.
overdoo
