In a week that didn’t feature any overly-exciting fights, it was Zack Stortini that decided to open up and throw punches in bunches, something that his critics will no doubt appreciate. This past Saturday, Stortini threw down in a long one with Krys Barch. It was the second time that the two had dropped the gloves this season and third overall since they both entered the NHL during the 2006-07 campaign.

Other fights considered:
Mitch Fritz vs Colton Orr Dec 29, 2008
Milan Lucic vs Tim Wallace Dec 30, 2008
Wade Redden vs Chris Clark Jan 3, 2009

A bump after a whistle led to scrum, and while Josh Gratton coming out of one with his gloves off wasn’t a surprise, his opponent being Craig Adams was.  Not that he hasn’t taken on some tough guys in his career, he has, but it’s still not something one expects from the Harvard alum.  When Adams almost fell early, this one looked like it was about to be all Gratton, but Adams quickly regained his balance and the two went toe-to-toe before tiring out.

Other fights considered:
Daniel Carcillo vs Jason Strudwick Dec 22, 2008
Chris Neil vs Darcy Hordichuk Dec 28, 2008

While I never planned on picking something other than an NHL fight for the Fight of the Week, I have little choice but to highlight this scrap between Jon Mirasty and Jeremy Yablonski.  From a game last weekend between the AHL‘s Syracuse Crunch and Binghamton Senators, it has the potential to be the cross-league fight of the year, and will probably be on the highlight reels for years to come.  The fight page features two videos: same footage, but different audio (each team’s radio broadcast).

Other fights considered:
Jody Shelley vs Raitis Ivanans Dec 15, 2008
Jared Boll vs Daniel Carcillo Dec 20, 2008

Another fight from Jody Shelley‘s exciting season so far.  He squares off with fellow heavyweight George Parros and the two just let the fists fly.  Little d here.

Other fights considered:
Aaron Voros vs David Clarkson Dec 12, 2008
Zenon Konopka vs Chris Neil Dec 13, 2008

There were a few great fights to choose from this week, but FM leader Brandon Prust‘s bout with Cam Janssen was chosen as this week’s top fight.  A long, back and forth battle, it injected energy into everyone in the building.

A couple of Eric Godard fights were some other highlights from the week.

Other fights considered:
Eric Godard vs Colton Orr Dec 03, 2008
Eric Godard vs Chris Neil Dec 06, 2008

Just a ridiculously good scrap.  Easy, easy fight of the year candidate between Daniel Carcillo and Derek Dorsett.  Nothing other than “click play” needs to be said.

Other fights considered:
Tim Jackman vs Shane Hnidy Nov 28, 2008
Colton Orr vs David Koci Nov 26, 2008
Josh Gratton vs Wade Brookbank Nov 26, 2008

A classic heavyweight battle, Donald Brashear and Jody Shelley traded punches back and forth this past Saturday to give us our fight of the week.  Maybe more interconference play isn’t such a bad thing afterall.

Other fights considered:
Jared Boll vs Garnet Exelby Nov 22, 2008
Nick Boynton vs Milan Lucic Nov 21, 2008
Brad Staubitz vs Jordin Tootoo Nov 17, 2008

The Stanley Cup-favorite Canadiens were in town and this night the Bruins handled them in every way possible on the ice.  The Bs had a 5-1 lead when Mike Komisarek finally got what he asked for: Milan Lucic willingly dropped the gloves.  They went toe-to-toe for a bit before Looch took over and dropped Komisarek to a knee.  Lucic skated off roaring just as much at the crowd as they did to him.

Prior to this fight, the sophomore stud was catching some flak in the local media for not dropping the gloves yet this season.  His first fight of 2008-09 silenced those critics and reminded fans how he’s become a favorite so quickly.

The Bruins went on to score once more, crushing the Habs.  Somewhere Bobby Orr’s knees didn’t hurt, if only for a moment.

Media criticism moved on to Georges Laraque after that night, for not taking out Lucic earlier in the game.  Laraque responded by dominating Josh Gratton in a scrap a couple of nights later.

Other fights considered:
Steve Ott vs Daniel Carcillo Nov 15, 2008
Josh Gratton vs Georges Laraque Nov 15, 2008
David Koci vs Andrew Peters Nov 12, 2008
Cam Janssen vs Andrew Peters Nov 12, 2008

This was scrap number two for Ryan Malone and Aaron Voros. The first was a quick one over in Prague.  A long, back and forth bout, they certainly earned their five minutes worth this time around.

Other fights considered:
Garth Murray vs Eric Nystrom Nov 4, 2008
Steve MacIntyre vs Eric Godard Nov 6, 2008

Just a monster tilt between Eric Boulton and Colton Orr at MSG.  It’s a little early to say it might be fight of the year, but it might be fight of the year.  After over a minute of trading blows, Orr still had the energy to smile while skating to the box to the roars of the crowd.  As of this post, the fight’s rating is 8.7.

Other fights considered:
Derek Dorsett vs Darcy Tucker Oct 30, 2008
Steve MacIntyre vs Riley Cote Nov 2, 2008