Maineiacs’ enforcer Sheldon Wenzel says fighting is a necessary evil in hockey.
By Justin Pelletier
Staff Writer

LEWISTON – One of the most famous fights in history happened in Lewiston in May of 1965. Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, squared off in what was then the shortest heavyweight championship fight ever. Clay knocked Liston to the canvas with the famed “phantom punch” just over one minute into the re-located bout, sparking cries of conspiracy.

These days, when there is a fight at the Central Maine Civic Center, the combatants are much more padded and there are certainly no complaints about any fights being fixed.

“It’s a necessary evil,” said Sheldon Wenzel. “There would be no control without fights.”

And while it might sound odd, there is reason to believe he is right.

Wenzel is an enforcer playing hockey for the Lewiston Maineiacs. Part of Wenzel’s job description, other than helping to set up goals and defend his zone, is to protect his elite skaters.

“Without enforcers on the ice, the other team would abuse the skilled forwards,” said Wenzel. “People can say all they want that there is no need to fight, but without it, sticks would be higher, play would be more chippy and the players would play without fear of retribution. Two minutes in the box only does so much, and it doesn’t really keep people from doing anything.”

The art of fighting

As in boxing, a hockey fight is much more than just slugging each other. In this game, there is a system involved in teaching other teams and their players a lesson.

“You have to first know if the player you get tangled with is a lefty or a righty,” said Maineiacs’ tough guy Olivier Legault. “You have to figure out how you feel that day, if you are sore or if you are OK to hit. Sometimes, if your hand is sore or injured, all you want to do is tie the other guy up.”

In addition to positioning, footwork and speed are also key in sizing another player up.

“You have to be mentally in it and willing to fight,” said Legault. “If you are able to be confident and scare the other guy a little bit, this can be an advantage. Of course, it also helps that you are bigger than they are.”

Perfect timing

It’s not always in the best interest of a team to start a fight, or even allow yourself to be enticed into a brawl.

“The fighting can swing a whole game,” said Legault. “Sometimes, if the momentum isn’t in your favor, a fight can really help the team, especially if you are down by a couple of goals.”

The motive isn’t always momentum building, though. In some cases, retribution is the only reason a tough guy needs.

“I will never tap a guy on the shoulder and tell him to go,” said coach Mario Durocher, “but I encourage the players on the team to know what their role is, and to perform that role when they think they need to.”

In one preseason game, Wenzel appeared to go after Quebec Remparts’ forward Josh Hennessy, considered to be a skill player. In retaliation, Quebec sent one of its strongmen after Marc-André Cliche, the Maineiacs’ first-round draft choice this season.

Is it necessary?

Why does fighting exist when players are penalized for it and fans are disgusted with on-ice altercations?

“There would be no answering for cheap shots,” said Durocher. “If my best player is getting harassed, I want the other team to know that it won’t be tolerated.”

“You have to protect your players,” added Wenzel. “It’s that simple. There needs to be a way to protect against cheap shots.”

Aside from being a form of policing, fighting also allows a needed burst of adrenaline for a slumping team to creep through the bench.

Clay and Liston have long since gone, but with a team like the Maineiacs at the Central Maine Civic Center, there might be a lion’s share of fisticuffs flying by season’s end. The only question in people’s minds now is whether or not the tactic will work.

“It works,” said Wenzel, “if you do it right.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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