Roman is a funny guy over there, going to YouTube and finding one of my fights. Well, as many of you know, much to my mother's displeasure, I get myself into the odd fight throughout the NHL season. I am often asked, 'Why do you do that?' and 'How do those fights starts?' or 'What do guys say before a fight?' There's also the old, 'What's the point of fighting, you look like a meathead.' I will take the time to answer those questions now, so when the 500th person asks me this year I can just tell them to read my blog.
I'll first cover why guys fight on the ice. The first reason is to gain momentum.
The majority of fights happen in the first 1 1/2 periods. Because this is your best shot at swinging momentum.
You may find your team down 2-0 just 10 minutes into the first period. The crowd isn't into it, you look down your bench and guys are frustrated and a little sluggish. This is a great time to go look for a fight.
Often times you will see a player go out there and run into a few guys seeing if anybody will skate up to him and challenge him. If not, you will see a guy whose team is down 2-0 skate up to a guy get in his face maybe push him and tell him: 'Let's go!'
Editor's note: This video -- notice the time and score -- is an example of what Adam is talking about:
When the fight is done, nine times out of ten you will see a response from your team. Guys will get excited, the crowd stands up and screams, your teammates bang their sticks on the bench, now they are into it. You have changed the momentum.
Imagine going into the office and your supervisor, who nobody likes, gives you and your co-workers a project that you know is just busy work but is important to get done, but nobody is to excited to do it. The next thing you know is you look over and your buddy is beating up your supervisor. Once he's done beating him up, I'll guarantee you will all be excited and go get that job done with a smile on your face. I am not suggesting you do this. I understand that my working environment is one of the only places in the world where this is allowed.
Okay, I just went off on a tangent here, don't know where that came from! The next thing I want to discuss is the "code" that guys follow on the ice. But I'll leave you hanging for a bit and continue this post in a couple of days!
Talk to you soon guys and please keep the comments and questions coming!
Adam Burish, 25, is a native of Madison, Wisc. and is entering his second full NHL season with the Blackhawks. The 6-1, 189-pound winger scored four goals and four assists last season, but his role as an enforcer was reflected by a team-high 214 penalty minutes, which ranked third in the NHL. Burish is not one to mess with on the ice, but he's known to have a great personality and sense of humor off the ice.
I love the supervisor analogy! I was always unsure if fighting really did swing the momentum (but supported them anyways...specially against de-toilet) but that really hit home for me! That would definitely motivate me!
First off, it's great to read another one of your blogs. I really enjoyed the one you did when you were on Team USA for the World Championships. I do have one question about fighting. I've seen a time or two when you have been in a fight during the first shift of a game. What's the reason for that? Is there such an adrenaline rush that you gotta pop somebody right out of the gate? Whatever the reason, thanks for stepping up and doing whatever it takes to pump up your team.
We make no secret about our feelings about fighting over at HOCKEENIGHT (we have a fight video every Friday night).
You need to have a policeman out there, someone to keep everyone honest. You can't allow other teams to go after your teammates.
Adam, we respect and thank you for being the ultimate team player.
You're also a helluva shot blocker. Keep up the good work.
The supervisor analogy was the funniest thing I've read in a long, long time. I was laughing out loud.
Adam - what's your take on the Lady Byng trophy? I've never liked this award and I hope you never win it. But let's say you did win it - what kind of a ribbing would you expect Wiz and the guys in the locker to give you about it?
First let me begin by saying GO BLACKHAWKS our future Stanley Cup Champions!!!!!! I love what the Blackhawks orginazition has done. As for myself being a middle aged overweight rat hockey player nothing turns the game around more than when Adam Burish hits the ice. He is a player who always gives 200% and you know there is going to be action. There are many people out there who are against fighting but that is part of hockey. It is a major part of the game and I hope that politics dont get involved and bring this game down. As to the rest of the team every member of the Blackhawks is number #1 in my book. I was able to get a look at Patrick Kane and Adam Burish when they visited the ice arena ( Artic Orland Park, IL. ) where I play at but I let the kids get the autographs which they have lost. Good luck and hats off to the begining of a great season. LET THE GLOVES DROP.
Frank
Oak Forest, IL.
Adam, another great lead. I work with a lot of people that aren't interested in hockey but I am always asked about fighting and I try to explain it and I don't think I get the point across well enough I think I will have to start using what you said, giving all due credit to you. Keep going man and remember De-troit Sucks.
I think immediately after the puck drops tonight you should drop the gloves and kick the @#@$% out of someone to change the momentum after dropping the first 2 games of the season and going 0fer on the power play.
Funny that you have such a badass fighting rep now, in your years as Badger Captain, you were always the one cleaning up the mess instead.