Out of control, massive team versus team hockey brawls

I don't watch hockey.

I know that's an incredibly dangerous thing to say, living in a Canadian city.

(I also don't like beer. But don't tell anyone. I am so unCanadian!)

But it's true. The appeal of the game has always gone completely over my head. The rest of my entire family enjoy watching it, particularly my mother, who I should say goes insane. (Actually, my sister doesn't watch hockey either.)

When I mock my mother, I usually tell her she only watches it for the fights. (Which isn't true.) But it certainly is one part of the appeal for others.

It's one of the things that turns me off hockey. It's interesting that fist fights don't generally break out on as regular a basis in other sports as hockey.

Hockey fights, however, aren't restricted by national boundaries, as it seems it is as infectious as giggleitis.

It even happens in Asia.

Here's one in Russia in which it's a massive team versus team pile-on that is really out of control:

And Canadians don't have much to be proud of. Here's one from Quebec that involves referees getting tackled and goalies punching each other out:

But I think this next one takes the cake. It involves two teams fighting over a barrier. Sticks get broken, objects get thrown, shirts get taken off (WTF?), and somehow a fan gets pulled into the fight and pounded on by five hockey players. The crowd even boos them, rather than egging them on.

Incredibly Bizzare Hockey Fight Amazing team-wide brawl. Check out the last 30 seconds when a fan gets pounded by 10 guys. Criminal charges were filed.

Accordingly, hockey is not my thing.

But for all of you hockey lovers, would a reduction of fights ruin your enjoyment of watching the game? What's your opinion on hockey fights?

Post your thoughts below.