What a complete and utter waste that infographic was (and probably specious. I have my doubts about the score affecting the number of fights). Here, in simple terms, is the how and why of fighting as a strategic tactic in hockey:

A hockey fight usually occurs when a player is crowding the opposing team’s star player. That’s why Gretsky always had the leagues biggest heavies on his team, ready to edumacate anyone who dared to body check the great one. It’s essentially the same thing as when a pitcher brushes back a batter that is crowding the plate.

The fighting is entirely ritualized, and rarely done with any real heat or emotion. Otherwise, the two players squaring off would be beating the crap out of each other with those handy sticks, rather than dropping them (and the gloves) before doing anything else.

So there you have it: strategic and ritualized. It’s all the rough and dirty hits (checks) that give players concussions and lasting health woes – and the fights help curtail that kind of crap.A little bare-knuckle fun for the fans, and something that might actually help cut down on serious injury. The moar you know.