This is a fair point. It's not always black and white with fighting in the NHL. It's hard to draw firm rules around fighting to be able to let it police the game when you think it is warranted and then suspend guys when you think it isn't.

I don't know all the specific details of "The Code", but I thought Holtby reacted in a way where Emery should have laid off. But he didn't.
Paul's done a good job in this blog illustrating which rules applied to the situation and why it was called the way it was by the referees.
Can anyone tell me who, if anyone, broke the rules of "The Code" in this case and what their punishment should be according to "The Code"?
- Chinaski

I did not see the fight live. After watching the video. I don't think it a big deal, it is seeming to be blown out of proportion. And, I'm not so sure Emery broke the code (giving up when a player turtles). Holtby didn't exactly turtle, he fell a couple times - only to get back up. If he fell and remained on the ice, I would have been a bit more critical of Emery. Let's face it... Emery is a good fighter and is always looking for a fight... But, rarely get the chance - when he does, he wants to make the best of it.

I did not see the fight live. After watching the video. I don't think it a big deal, it is seeming to be blown out of proportion. And, I'm not so sure Emery broke the code (giving up when a player turtles). Holtby didn't exactly turtle, he fell a couple times - only to get back up. If he fell and remained on the ice, I would have been a bit more critical of Emery. Let's face it... Emery is a good fighter and is always looking for a fight... But, rarely get the chance - when he does, he wants to make the best of it.
- leon neon

Gutless move going after someone who did nothing to deserve it, and clearly wanted no part of it. It's not like Holtby delivered a cheap shot that Emery felt he needed to be accountable for. Lost a lot of respect for Razor last night.

The entire brawl was a joke.
It was the Flyers being angry that they were getting crushed.

The old school mentality of well, since we are getting our butts kicked, so let's try and start a fight to "spark the team" is utterly ridiculous.

How about perhaps maybe playing better to spark your team?
Might that work better instead of looking like whiny clowns?
Probably.

The "PUSSIFICATION" of the NHL is sickening! Maybe next time the Caps bench won't be so anxious to shoot there mouths off all game after seeing a goalie get pummeled. Simmonds showed Mr Wilson, he's not all that tough after all so he can try his enforcer next time they play the Flyers again if he wants too. The Flyers back down from no team so bring it on Caps. I was at the game and the Caps were flapping their gums the whole game so in my mind, they initiated what happened. Don't even care a bit who disagrees, I like the fighting, and want more of it.
- twpguy

well said

I did not see the fight live. After watching the video. I don't think it a big deal, it is seeming to be blown out of proportion. And, I'm not so sure Emery broke the code (giving up when a player turtles). Holtby didn't exactly turtle, he fell a couple times - only to get back up. If he fell and remained on the ice, I would have been a bit more critical of Emery. Let's face it... Emery is a good fighter and is always looking for a fight... But, rarely get the chance - when he does, he wants to make the best of it.
- leon neon

Here's where I have a problem - Holtby is forced to engage in a fight he clearly wants no part of and did nothing to deserve it just because Ray Emery is good at fighting and likes to do it?

I'm not entirely anti-fighting. But what Emery did just doesn't sit well with me. And I look at that situation from Holtby's perspective and every other goalie and think, what could they do differently that would get Emery to not engage or get him assessed a more severe penalty without risking injury to themselves. I come to one conclusion - hold onto your stick and start swinging at Emery if he comes after you. I'd rather not see that either.

Again, I think this just comes down to one simple point - if you tolerate fighting in the league, these kinds of things are going to happen. Hopefully, no one gets seriously injured and everybody can skate away satisfied that they have sent the proper message, whatever that is.

Edit: I wouldn't have had a problem if Emery skated down there, challenged, and then did not fight Holtby because Holtby refused.

The entire brawl was a joke.
It was the Flyers being angry that they were getting crushed.

The old school mentality of well, since we are getting our butts kicked, so let's try and start a fight to "spark the team" is utterly ridiculous.

How about perhaps maybe playing better to spark your team?
Might that work better instead of looking like whiny clowns?
Probably.
- kingcong39

yea ok John Scott and Patrick Kaleta.

Great Article. Nice to hear a referee explain it