This one fascinates me. If one kid fights another kid during a high school basketball game and beats the living piss out of him, is that considered a 'normal course of that sport'? What about if that happens in a high school curling match? football? baseball? Do age groups matter? Is there ever a situation where a minor gets the s*** beat out of him and it shouldn't be considered assault? I think not, with the exception perhaps being MMA, boxing, martial arts, etc. I might be OK with that.
I'll assume that some will answer 'no' to some/all of my questions above, so why is it considered OK in hockey? I mean at the minor hockey level, you're immediately kicked out of the game - so it shouldn't be considered 'part of the game'. If it were 'part of the game', you wouldn't be kicked out. Is it 'part of the game' when playing beer league hockey? I mean who the f*** signs up for that? We all have to work in the morning.
The only time I could buy the argument it should be 'part of the game' is once you're an adult and it's considered professional.
Otherwise, the decision to punch someone in the face because you're mad at them should have the same consequences during the sport as it would in the parking lot after the game.