There Are Some Moments In Hockey You Simply Can't Come Back From. Losing A Fight Against A Helmet Is One Of Them
I'm a firm believer that every team needs at least one hardo on the roster to some extent or another. The type of guy who you're glad is on your team because you know if he was wearing another jersey, you'd hate the everliving shit out of him and he'd force you to unload a slapshot directly at his skull. He may not be your favorite guy in the world, but at least he's annoying the hell out of the other team instead of you. So I'm not anti-hardo in any way, shape or form.
With that being said...well if you're going to play the role of the hardo, you can't also be the clown. Because at that point not only does nobody like you, but nobody respects you either. Not the opponent, not your own teammates, not your coaches, not the lady working in the snack stand, not your girlfriend, nobody. And let me tell ya--falling straight on your ass after trying to kick a stray helmet is big time clown behavior.
What's sad is just how avoidable it all was. This is a classic case of acting out before assessing the situation first. Buddy had nothing to gain from kicking that bucket, but he had everything to lose. And lose it he did. At that point you have to consider early retirement to be your best option, if not the only option available. Maybe you could look into finding a new rink at least an hour away and playing with a new team? But bad gas travels fast in a small town.