HK players in ice hockey brawl
Top News | Charlotte Luo 2 Aug 2019
Charlotte Luo
A national youth ice hockey match between Hong Kong and Shenzhen descended into violence when several members of the mainland team punched members of the SAR side on Wednesday.
Hong Kong took on Shenzhen in Chengde and was leading 11-2 in the last period when the mass brawl erupted.
A video recorded by a Hong Kong coach showed five Hong Kong players in white uniforms being assaulted by six opposing players in red uniforms.
One of the Hong Kong players was punched by two Shenzhen players, and was holding his head, which was protected by a helmet. However, he did not fight back.
Another Hong Kong player was pinned on the ice and punched repeatedly.
Two players were wrestling and rolling on the floor, and the referees tried to separate them.
The audience was shocked by the violence and shouted at the players to stop.
The Hong Kong coach posted the video on social media and lambasted the Shenzhen players, claiming they resorted to violence because Hong Kong was leading 11-2.
The national youth ice hockey tournament is being held in Chengde until August 8, and more than 900 players representing 33 teams are participating in the event.
Hockey is the only professional sport where fighting is allowed, as highlighted by the National Hockey League. The unwritten rule has been adopted by other countries.
Two players fighting will only spend five minutes in the penalty box rather than being given a lengthy suspension.
Hockey fights are much more nuanced with a number of unwritten rules that govern the players' actions.
Fighting in ice hockey has been an established tradition of the sport, especially in the NHL, and includes some renowned brawls.
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