Representing Michigan Properly on the Ice

Submitted by UAUM on

I'm looking for the board's thoughs on the appropriate response to harrasment when wearing Michigan gear.

I play in a non-checking men's league hockey in Columbus, Ohio and about a month ago at the UM hockey garage sale, I got Michigan helmet, gloves, pants, and socks.  So I stick out like a sore thumb, but I love Michigan hockey and it's fun to wear my favorite team's gear.  Obviously, I expect to take a lot of comments and a little bit of extra physical play from opposing team members. 

I've played in 3 or 4 games with the M gear and people have made stupid comments and played a little rough, but that's expected and I really don't mind it.  I get that I'm wearing Michigan gear in Columbus.  But last night the other team totally took it to another level.  They were new to our league and frankly just not that good at hockey, so we were winning like 10-1 at the end of the 2nd period.  Keep in mind that I play defense and was not running up the score.  Well, someone was hooking me and I just pinched their arm under my arm and passed the puck, in our defensive zone, to another teammate.  No penalty was called on either of us.  When the play stopped later on, some guy cross checks me in the back complaining that I'm playing dirty.  We exchange a few choice words and continue on.  But then in the next period I'm battling for the puck in the corner with another guy, and we're fighting for body position as per usual, and ultimately I get control of the puck and pass it off.  But then, the dude goes off an punches me right in the mask and starts jawing about how I "checked" him.  Ref calls a penalty on the guy and we jaw a bit.  Then, with 2 minutes to go in the game, some guy just out and out boards me, in a non-checking league, and gets a 10 minute misconduct. 

All of these events were way beyond normal physical contact in a non-checking league and I'm not one to whine about a little extra physicality, but these guys were clearly pissed b/c they were getting smoked and just found a Wolverine to be a convenient target for their frustration.  I just kept playing the game and aside from some choice words after each incident didn't really do much.

My question for the board is:  what is the appropraite response to this, given the hockey context too?  Should I have just responded with a punch?  Did I do the right thing by not responding?  Should I have started taking cheap shots?  Should I not have even said anything back?  I just want to represent M in the right way.

Roachgoblue

May 17th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^

This is normal in any league I have played in when we are up by ten. I played in the "A" league in Ann Arbor, so I guess Ohio is the same. If you wear a Michigan shirt in Columbus you should take the brunt of their frustration, and that is not a big brain buster.

JeepinBen

May 17th, 2012 at 10:35 AM ^

I doubt that your michigan gear had as much to do with this episode as the score did. I think you're doing it correctly. If it gets out of hand again and the refs don't do anything about it and your teammates don't do anything about it... then you might have to handle it differently, but I think you're in the right here

 

Ben

BlockM

May 17th, 2012 at 10:38 AM ^

Poop in his cooler before he gets to it.

Seriously though, just be a decent human being. If you wouldn't do something to something else, don't do it to an OSU fan.

Wisconsin Wolverine

May 17th, 2012 at 12:24 PM ^

I've played a ton of rec soccer over the years since graduating hs, & I've managed to turn myself into a pretty sociable, outgoing guy on the field.  I just love playing so much that I'll joke around & chat with anybody on either team, I'm having a great time. 



But when someone is absolutely set on having a bad attitude, playing dirty, whatever, I don't let it bring me down.  If they talk shit to me or attempt to hurt me, I've discovered that smiling & laughing about it pisses them off more than anything else.  Because when you do that, you're not stooping to their level, & you're basically demonstrating that this person doesn't even register on your shits-to-give scale.  This is the most devastating thing you can do to a person who is trying to ruin your day.  Don't even talk back to them, just smile silently & laugh when they say something abnormally stupid.  Don't even make eye contact, just keep following the action.  It's actually even fun.

Erik_in_Dayton

May 17th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^

I do have experience with dealing with OSU fans in all their glory.  My advice is to stay above the fray but protect yourself too.  There's no need to descend to their level.  It sounds like the refs had your back. 

bluebyyou

May 17th, 2012 at 10:47 AM ^

I will probably get negged for this, but sometimes a little discretion is in order.  I spend a fair amount of time in the armpit-Columbus area, and while I don't shy away from wearing a Michigan sweatshirt, there are times when it is just easier to fly under the radar.  There are just too many crazies in the Columbus area, and it typically isn't the Ohio alums who bother you                    

stephenrjking

May 17th, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^

I attended three UM-OSU games at the Shoe, and in two of them I dressed in Michigan gear, treated the people around me respectfully, shook their hands on my way out, and was treated just fine. Discretion works. It sounds like the OP wasn't being obnoxious, just winning--and in his case, isn't the scoreboard the answer?

The other time I was standing at the top of the upper deck behind the flagpole with a bunch of drunk students and the treatment wasn't so cordial. Wouldn't trade it, though--the stories I got were great, and I was never in any actual danger. Plus, Michigan won. 

jtmc33

May 17th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^

Sounds like you handled it well.    You've made yourself the Holmstrom of your team.   Creating extra attention and getting under their skin until they over-react and get called for penalties.

Nice work.

lhglrkwg

May 17th, 2012 at 12:09 PM ^

I'm sure by not retaliating it pissed them off even more. By being a-holes, they're hoping to piss you off, draw a reaction, etc. If you kicked the crap out of them in your Michigan gear and they did their best to piss you off to 'get even' and you didn't respond then congratulations, they're going to be pissed off about that for the rest of their life. You win

Jmilan

May 17th, 2012 at 10:59 AM ^

Toss off the bucket and drop the mits. If someone out there is going to be completely ignorant challenge them and get ready to go. You don't need to be cheap or dirty about it, but if someone is going to push you over the edge stand up for yourself. I also play in a non checking league and a little tap to the side of the ribs usually gets people to calm down also. The more you stick up for yourself usually the less likely guys are going start problems with you.

smotheringD

May 17th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^

When a game gets that out of hand, you've got to be prepared to defend yourself and give back whatever they're dishing out with interest.  I've found that is the only effective deterrent.

If I was your teammate, I would have charged at the guy that boarded you and cold-cocked him in the face.  It sounds thuggish but when some asshat starts charging at guys and sending them flying headfirst into the boards from 3-5 feet away, that's how spinal cord injuries happen.

With two minutes left in a 10-1 game?  In a non-checking beer league?  Where everyone's got to get up and go to work the next day?

Hopefully you've got some guys on your team that understand Bo's definition of a team.

The bigger the better.

reshp1

May 17th, 2012 at 11:17 AM ^

Oh how I miss adult hacker league hockey. :)

I know the hockey code dictates that you or your teammates respond physically, but keep in mind the fact you are out there purely for fun and there is nothing else at stake. I was on a team once that got into a pretty bad feud with another team in our league and it got out of hand pretty quick, lots of cheap shots and almost a parking lot brawl. Looking back it seems so silly. I'd say you did the right thing.

Jmilan

May 17th, 2012 at 11:24 AM ^

The other problem at least in my league is that if you do fight its an automatic 4 game suspension. The only way you can get around in my league is if the officials decide they don't want to do the paperwork or if they just kick you out for that game. You really are at the refs discretion and how much of a prick he is feeling like that day.

Jmilan

May 17th, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^

Me personally I think if two grown men decide they want to fight just either kick them out of that particular game or just give them a 5 minute major. We are all adult enough to make our own decisions. Now if some guy jumps another guy then by all means suspend them, but if I get into a little scrum I don't want to get tossed for 4 games which is the equivalent of paying 40 dollars to fight someone in beer league. Those sleu(sp?) Foots and spears are way worse than a couple of punches potentially IMO.

UAUM

May 17th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^

it's a 4 game suspension and $100 fine for fighting.  And you don't know if the ref is going to give you a 5 min major for roughing or the dreaded fighting penalty.  Plus, there's only 1 league in Columbus (since hockey has only been here for 12 years since the Jackets came), so you can't just go to another league. 

UAUM

May 17th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^

Since hockey really only got popular 12 years ago when the Blue Jackets were created, there is a total lack of hockey etiquite in the adult leagues.  Lots of guys don't know what is acceptable physical contact and what's over the line.  So they think that if they hook you, and you neutralize their hook, they should get to cross check or trip you.  It's particularly bad with the lesser skilled/newest players (not that I'm sweet or anything).

So that has resulted in the adult league trying to figure out how to keep things civil through draconian fighting penalties.

reshp1

May 17th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^

Yep, you get a lot of that in C and D leagues anywhere, where most of the guys picked up hockey as adults with only pro hockey as a guideline for proper behaviour and let's face it, most of what NHL players do shouldn't fly in beer leagues.

JimLahey

May 17th, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^

There are a few guys in every beer league that ruin it for everyone else by taking it way too seriously. Just ignore it as best you can, throw out a few good insults like calling him a grocery stick and telling him they spelled asshole wrong on the back of his jersey.

I had an incident last summer where I was playing with my dad and his friends and some new guy out there, about 35, got pissed and jumped my 58 year old dad who clearly didn't want to fight and can barely skate, so I just took off the gloves and forced him to fight me instead. I'm guessing they're going to unwire his jaw any time now.

Mateo

May 17th, 2012 at 11:23 AM ^

Usually in this case I chirp the guy a decent amount. No need to take a penalty for your team in a non-checking adult league by hitting back. If it was a more intense game maybe hit back but crushing the other team i really just try to piss them off as much as possible. Maybe skate by after scoring a guy and give someone a wink, or blow a kiss to the guy in the penalty box. Those 2 tend to really get under people's skin and it makes it fun.

natesezgoblue

May 17th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^

Seriously? I'm not saying you deserve ld it but what do you expect when you wear that stuff there? It wouldn't be any different if an Ohio State fan wore their gear in A2.

BlueTimesTwo

May 17th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^

1)  You don't board another player in any league, much less a non-checking one, regardless of what they are wearing.

2)  If you don't like getting your ass handed to you, work harder and get better.  Don't play dirty.

3)  The Michigan gear is sweet.  I have a pair of Michigan hockey pants from the garage sale, and they are far and away the best and most protective hockey pants I have ever had.  Someone shouldn't have to wear lesser gear just because some buckeye can't handle the sight of Michigan gear.

weasel3216

May 17th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^

I play in a lacrosse league, which is also a non-body checking league, and we have strict rules about this type of shit.  If we have anyone that is playing dirty or head hunting, we give them one warning and the next time it happens they are kicked out of the league.  Worst part for them is that it is the same group of guys that play in teh indoor and outdoor league so they prety much get banned for lacrosse in the area.  We have not had any issues so far (only 2 seasons in) but it is known right up front that it is a non-body checking league.  We are still plenty physical with slashes and body defense but the big hits don't happen.  

I know that this doesn't directly answer the question, but i think whoever runs the league needs to make it 100% clear about the no checking aspect.  Like people said above, everyone has to get up and go to work the next morning.  

South Bend Wolverine

May 17th, 2012 at 12:35 PM ^

As long as the refs are handling it well (and it sounds like they were doing reasonably), I'd say just leave it to them.  Better to just let their guy skate to the box, take the power play, and move on.

Moleskyn

May 17th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^

Yeah, based on the ref's reactions, sounds like you played it well. I agree with others that, as long as the refs are doing their job, you're best off just rising above it. That way, it becomes quite clear that the other guy is just being an asshat. Makes him look really dumb.

BlueTimesTwo

May 17th, 2012 at 2:59 PM ^

If the hits are just dickish and not dangerous, a smile and a point to the scoreboard are usually enough to put him in his place.  If the guy is making dangerous hits, one of your teammates should have knocked him on his ass without actually dropping the gloves.  Most refs will understand the defense of a teammate and will just give you a matching minor.  They want him to get the message just as much as you do, so he will stop doing that shit and putting them in a difficult position.

Seth

May 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 AM ^

Somewhere on an OSU board right now is a guy bragging about how they were losing badly to some team in their new hockey league so they beat the shit out of some meatchicken from scUM and his teammates didn't even stick up for him lolz!