Poll: What Did you Think of the Sabres and Leafs Brawl

Anyone catch last night’s affair between the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs? It was a heck of a hockey game- yes a hockey game was actually played- and the Sabres narrowly missed a 3 goal comeback. Game wise it wasn’t a great game by the Buffalo boys. They didn’t show up for the first period and found themselves down 2-0 early. Entering the 2nd down by just 1 the Sabres came out flying led by Cody Hodgson and Marcus Foligno but Jonathan Bernier stood tall and while Ryan Miller couldn’t keep pace. You know the way this story ends, the Sabres lose 5-3 and drop both home and home games against the Leaf, but Sunday night’s game had an interesting incident.

Unhappy about the game and Corey Tropp being knocked out in a pool of blood, the Sabres and John Scott decided they were going

Sep 22, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (42) and defenseman T.J. Brennan (25) and forward David Clarkson (71) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (5) fight during the third period at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Buffalo 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

to make sure the Leafs knew they wouldn’t put up with this. Long story short, Scott initiated a full-out line brawl, that included both netminders dropping the mitts and a total of 13 players being ejected. It was a crazy brawl that resembled 1970 NHL action and when the dust settled a total of 93 penalty minutes were handed out and there are certainly suspensions looming for both teams.

The fight unleashed a mix of reactions on twitter. I’ve heard just about every side of the argument. I’ve heard that John Scott is a disgrace to both the Sabres and the NHL and that there is no place for him in the game. I’ve heard that Randy Carlyle was stupid for putting Kessel out when their was clearly trouble a brew. I’ve heard people who absolutely loved the line brawl and goalie fight and I’ve also heard fans that are proud of the Sabres for sticking up for each other.

But probably the biggest argument I’ve heard is the one that the line brawl and goalie fight- which happens maybe once every 20 years- was a huge disgrace for the NHL and is sending the wrong message to kids and fans. One of my friends texted me after the game and told me that it was pathetic the NHL allows this kind of behavior when none of the other North American sports do. On the way home while listening to the radio a father called in and voiced his displeasure that his 4-year-old son and his 8-year-old friend had to witness the brawl when they preach to the kids not to fight.

Does the brawl send a bad message? Yeah it kind of does, but it’s hockey for Pete’s sake! I don’t know how many people were at the ACC last night, but every single person in the arena was standing, yelling and cheering throughout the fights- especially Miller and Bernier. The atmosphere inside that arena was priceless and something I’m proud to have witnessed. Fighting has and hopefully always will be apart of the great game of hockey. I love the notion that when you have a problem with someone you punch it out.

But since I’ve heard lot’s of mixed reviews from last night’s brawl, my question to you. What did you think of the line brawl and goalie fight? Be sure to vote and leave your opinion in the comments below.