I agree that it's a part of hockey, and believe me, there's nothing like a good ole' hockey fight (Why do you think I used to love the rivalry my Avs had witht he Red Wings?) -- but they've enforced new rules to speed the game up, why not get rid of hockey? It's unnessecary. Everyone says no matter how little they like hockey, they enjoy watching playoff hockey. Well, there's not many fights in playoff hockey, is there?
I feel the same way about shootouts -- but I'd take that over a tie, anyday. And it's not like you can have the guys play it out like in the playoffs.