"We get nose jobs all the time in the NHL, and we don't even have to go to the hospital." ~Brad Park
Pure, unadulterated justice. Self Regulation. Strategic violence. These are terms to come to mind when I think of a hockey fight. Some will say it's barbaric, childish and meaningless. The "some" that say this are stupid.
The hockey fight has unwritten rules and boundaries. If a fighter falls, the match is over. Cheap shots are not tolerated and will result in future consequences for the perpetrator. Both combatants must agree to engage and do so when both are ready. It's fair, it's base human behavior and the World would be a better place if a good clean fist fight was an option to settle disputes in every day life.
There are few jobs available on this Earth better than NHL Enforcer. How many times during your typical work week have you thought, "If I could just punch someone in the mouth I would feel much better" Eric Bolton's main responsibility is punching someone in the mouth at a strategic time during a hockey game. Bolton is one of the best of the business.
Bolton stands at about six foot one, not huge for an NHL Enforcer. He weighs in at a very solid 225 and I'd guess his body fat ratio is laughable. Fighting an anvil is no fun as many contenders have found over the last few years.
Bolton's lower body strength gives him his first advantage in a skirmish, balance. Rarely does Bolton slip or fall during a tussle on the ice. Bolton's most significant advantage is his conditioning and the resulting endurance. Bolts has been involved in some of the longest, most grueling fights on Blueland ice. He wears down his opponents, let's them punch themselves out and then finishes the bout in style.
Oh, Eric Bolton plays some hockey as well. Besides ranking 6th in the NHL with 176 penalty minutes, Bolton set career highs last season with 10 assists and 13 points. His forth line play with Jimmy Slater and Chris Thorburn set the table for many Thrasher victories last season.
With fighting on the rise in the NHL, Bolton's ice time should be exciting next year. The goal - 200 penalty minutes. Fear the Thrash!
Your Loyal Servant,
Sean Grace
Read "The Code" sometime. I think you'll like it, Sean.
ReplyDeleteBoulton got better last season with his fighting abilities. Rumor is that the MMA classes he started last summer paid, off.