One hundred per cent of parents polled at a St. John’s rink on Saturday support the decision to reinstate handshakes at the end of minor hockey games.

That kind of widespread consensus may explain why Hockey NL is doing it now, instead of reassessing at the end of the season, as was planned.

It marks a complete 180 from the original move by the minor council to move the sportsmanship ritual to before the game in December.

That was triggered by a recent post-game fight at Twin Rinks, but the sudden change blindsided many, with even the premier expressing his dismay publicly.

As questions and controversy swirled, Hockey NL clarified the decision was on a “trial basis,” but stood its ground on the change.

The new policy was even reinforced in a memo as recent as January 6.

But then late last week came word that the minor council “will allow” the return of post-game handshakes, with the option to skip it on a game-by-game basis.

Parents polled at Twin Rinks were unanimous in their reaction.

“You got to learn how to win and how to lose, and if you can’t face your opponent after and have a handshake, I don’t know what we’re teaching our kids,” said one man. “Just on face value, it was shocking to me and I think most people, so I’m glad to see it back,” said another. “I think it’s disappointing and sad that circumstances would be such that you would have to remove it in the first place,” added one hockey mom.

Yet another parent said their child’s team never stopped shaking hands with other teams during the short-lived ban.