Best Hockey Fight Ever


Last month was the 20th anniversary of the “Punch-up in Piestany,” of one of the greatest moments in hockey, and Canadian, history.
In 1987, Canada was playing the (then) Soviet Union in the World Junior Championships in Piestany, Czechoslovakia. Mid-way through the game, all hell broke loose. I can’t believe YouTube has the video.
Canada had a decent shot to win the gold, while the Soviets were out of medal contention. Canada was winning 4-2 when the frustrated Soviets started ganging up on the Canadian players. The commies got really nasty. Soon the boys from the Great White North had seen enough. They jumped over the boards, and, knowing they would forfeit any medal, fought back (note the 4:20 mark in the video).
The place went frickin berserk. A dust-up turned into an all-out 20-on-20 brawl. And not your typical NHL-style “pushing” fight. These guys were punching for real. Sticks, helmets and gloves were everywhere. Did I mention these were kids? Even the two goalies squared off against each other–the two back-up goalies.
The refs completely lost control. After awhile, they just skated off the ice. But the players kept fighting. They even shut off the lights in the arena. It didn’t work. The players KEPT ON FIGHTING. Both teams were disqualified, and according to the record books, the game doesn’t exist.
The aftermath was a huge deal in Canada. Unfortunately, Canada bases much of its national identity on not being like certain other North American countries. You know, violent neocon cowboys and all that. So began the mandatory national period of self-reflection: “What are we teaching our children? This is not how we do things in Canada.” And so on.
The Canadian kids did exactly what they should have. Here’s a clip from the time of the legendary hockey coach Don Cherry debating a clueless sportswriter. There’s even a book about the game.

Posted by on February 3rd, 2007 at 7:58 am


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