The NHL has made the conscious decision to condone fighting at some level--much more so than any other professional league. It faces the consequences of this decision in its day-to-day operations. Hockey has a stigma like no other sport. It is the only sport that does not receive a major network broadcast of its championship games. Incidents like this do not help its reputation. But it has made the decision to allow this behavior at some level, and should deal with the consequences independently.
If the province of Vancouver really wants to do good in this situation, they should meet with NHL commissioner Gary Betman and recommend a change in the game or more draconian action against McSorley. Filing charges sets an ugly precedent for sports and will do little in terms of changing game play in hockey.
Brad R. Sohn '02 is a government concentrator in Kirkland House. His column will now appear on alternate Mondays.