First and foremost, Stiffler (also known as Sean William Scott in the real world) will be known as Doug Glatt from now on after this performance, which will forever be remembered in our books.  He pulled out an absolute beauty performance as a minor league hockey enforcer ‘touched by the fists of God’. His character was actually based on the true life story of Doug Smith.

Sabertooth… is played by Liev Schreiber…?  His name is Liev, like Lee-ev?  Well, anyway Sabertooth also comes up big as the seasoned vet, a Marty McSorely inspired enforcer, in Ross Rhea.  Liev also played Sabertooth in X-Men. Totally different movie.

The inevitable Donnybrook between the new kid on the block and the old man was still an edge of your seat tilt, full of suspense. The movie overall was hilarious. The one liners go shift-for-shift with all the great Slap Shot dialog of old and the actual hockey scenes were leaps and bounds better than any clip from Young Blood.

Bottom-line, this is an epic hockey, nay, sports movie for the ages.

However, while watching the movie, I couldn’t help but make connections to my own life.  Not that I am a feared enforcer… in fact, I’m pretty embarrassing. But that doesn’t mean I won’t take a few punches for a team mate. That is beside the point.  Sure, I made connections, I have definitely played with, and “been” a lot of guys portrayed in this flick. But the biggest connection I made was the divided acceptance and disdain for fighting in hockey, and in our case, box lacrosse.

It made me instantly link to the hissy fits that go back and forth here on the LAS Network about fighting. Even though I am sure a few new people have came around since hearing some compelling arguments, the debate against fighting still lingers. This movie realistically depicts the role of an enforcer and what it means to him as player, and what it means to his coaches and team mates he plays for and protects.

Goon.

There are many reasons why fighting needs to exist in hockey and box lacrosse. However, none is more brain-dead obvious than the existence of an entire semi-professional league. If fighting did not exist in professional hockey, minor league franchises would not be able to draw crowds in the southern United States. The reality of it is, the SPHL exists for the soul purpose that those fans come to see fights. There is a market for fighting, and a large market at that. A large enough market to support an entire league.

Goon is a violent-romantic-comedy, I was in stitches and tense with anticipation during the entire 92 minutes. However, Goon does not glorify fighting. It highlights and provides positive reinforcement as to why fighting is necessary and respected in hockey, and in our case, box lacrosse.

Get out, go see it. Share and express your opinions on the movie and fighting in hockey and box lacrosse in the comment section. If you really want to get into it hit me up on twitter!

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