March 7, 2013

Ottawa Senators' David Dziurzynski lies on the ice as referee Lonnie Cameron tends to him after he was hit in a fight with Toronto Maple Leafs' Frazer McLaren (not seen) Wednesday. (MARK BLINCH/Reuters)

To think, midway through this week, the biggest silly debate of the week was over mandatory visors.

But a much more critical issue has since taken centre stage.

In light of the ugliness which came out of the fight between Frazer McLaren of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dave Dziurzynski of the Ottawa Senators, staged fighting is once again a hot-button topic across the NHL.

The staged fight Wednesday night only 26 seconds into the game ended with Dziurzynski crumpled on the ice after several hard punches to the head — one particularly powerful to the chin — and then being helped to the dressing room while his legs were jelly.