DESPITE being a rabid fan of almost every sport you can name (even extreme dodgeball), I've never really got on with ice hockey.

DESPITE being a rabid fan of almost every sport you can name (even extreme dodgeball), I've never really got on with ice hockey. That is until recently, when my habit of flicking from any channel directly to ESPN whenever the Angry Blonde leaves the room has seen me catch some surprisingly enjoyable highlights.

The speed, skill and, well, violence involved combine to form a heady mix upon which I can soon see myself becoming intoxicated. I've learnt thus far that many top players come from Europe - given the generally frigid conditions - and Russia especially churns out stars by the bucketload.

And a clip from Russia Today this week shows that they also learn early how to handle themselves in that most vital of ice hockey staples - brawling.

- To see the video, read more and have your say, read Mark Heath's blog, Playing the Links.