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Braydon Coburn versus Tom Wilson: On fighting in hockey

By Phyllis Hunter

TAMPA BAY, FL - MAY 23:Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) punches Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) during the first period Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
TAMPA BAY, FL - MAY 23:Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) punches Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) during the first period Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Tom Wilson and Braydon Coburn had an unforgettable fight in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final

Braydon Coburn and Tom Wilson mixed it up not once, but twice, in the Washington Capitals Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. These battles spurred the age-old debate – does fighting belong in hockey?

I have many friends who are hockey fans, and not just Flyers fans. One of my friends is a minister and a Capitals fan. He is obviously on cloud nine right about now. When I posed the question to him, he replied that as a minister, he does not condone violence in any way, but fighting is a part of hockey. He echoed my own feelings when he said that some guys handed out cheap shots that were not called as penalties, and needed a beating.

Too Far?

After the game, Wilson opined that Coburn went too far when he ripped off Evgeny Kuznetsov’s sweater during a scrum and tossed it onto the ice. That’s why the two players nearly got into a fight and got two minutes for roughing.

Let me make this clear: I am not a fan of Tom Wilson. I think he has a penchant for dirty hits. But in this case, I agree with him 100 percent. I think Coburn needed to be taught some manners, and that is what Wilson did. They fought immediately after exiting the penalty box.

Does Fighting in Hockey Glorify Violence?

It was my co-worker Superman that started this debate. He is not a fan of fighting in hockey, feeling that it glorifies violence and is a bad lesson to teach children. My co-worker noted that fighting is not allowed in other sports, and while that is true, it does not change my opinion on fighting in hockey. As a friend and fellow hockey fan, I respect his opinion; however, I disagree with him.

I view fighting in hockey not just as a tradition, but almost as chivalry. Hockey is a game of honor and traditions; Gary Bettman can change the names of the Divisions, the Conferences, but that was the Prince of Wales Trophy that Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals were awarded on Wednesday night.

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There is an honor, a code among hockey players that is not seen in any other sport. If you break that code, you should be prepared for the consequences. Coburn crossed that line, and he paid the price.

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