Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG Hands down, the voice of the people -- is roaring for 6-8.5, 240 pound Matt Rempe, the Rangers policeman extraordinaire, who'll fight almost anyone, almost any time, almost anywhere. But here's the ironic kicker; the Calgary native has reached the top of the HIT parade without engaging in a single bout on his home -- World's Most Famous Arena -- rink. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1MTc3NzUzNjE0NDI3Nzgw/usatsi_22739627.jpg] Or, as one reporter mentioned: "Rempe has barely had any standout moments at home. They've all come on the road. Imagine what it would be like at MSG if he was taking on all these combatants with the crowd behind him at The Garden." No kidding. The place would go nuts; unless of course, a Mathieu Olivier turns Matt's mug into a party "pinata" as he did in Columbus. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3XZkWInSVg[/embed] Slowly -- and maybe not surely -- some hockey purists are beginning to take a dim view of The Rempe Ruckus. Former Rangers beat reporter Phil Mushnick of the New York Post [https://nypost.com/2024/03/07/sports/nhls-promotion-of-fighting-is-sick-and-out-of-touch/] is one of them. Reviewing the bout in Toronto between Rempe and Maple Leafs goon, Ryan Reaves, Post columnist Mushnick described it as a "baseless, stupid, schoolyard throwdown." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En8wvFMsOec[/embed] In short, such staged bouts have nothing at all to do with the hockey game. And a needless sideshow. Discussing the fight, Mushnick went on to point out that "there was no reason for the fight beyond popular demand." Within two weeks of Rempe's Sluggo act virtually every NHL toughie was thinking -- should I or shouldn't I challenge the tallest and heaviest bloke in the league. Some -- Reaves, for example -- was one and those eager combatants and they fought each other with one fist while holding on to the foe with the other hand. It was a draw. Then again, maybe Matt The Mauler will more discreetly pick his spots while concentrating on being a useful Ranger starting tonight in Boston. The Maven is well aware of sports fans who deplore hockey fights. One of my friends is one of them and never stops reminding me that fighting should be abolished from the NHL games. Whenever I hear those beefs, I'm reminded that when goals are scored, the crowd goes wild. But when a genuine hockey fights happen -- like the Columbus bout between Rempe and Olivier -- the crowd not only goes wild, but just about every ticket-holder jumps out of his and her seat, transfixed by the action. So, for the moment at least, The Remper can feel secure in the knowledge that he's a Ranger -- as well as former two-week heavyweight champion of the league!
