2008-09: Best Player Feud

[Merlin401]

Nominees

Colton Orr vs. Eric Godard
Probably the most notable rivalry featured four great fights between these two inter-division rivals. Orr edged out Godard in the first two slugfests (December 3rd and January 5th), but Godard got his revenge with a TKO win later in January. Godard drew last blood on March 28th with a edge victory. Each and every fight was an absolute dandy.

Round 1: December 3
Round 2: January 5
Round 3: January 28
Round 4: March 28

Derek Boogaard vs. Wade Belak
These two even switched teams and kept on fighting. With Belak in Florida, he scored a surprising victory over Boogaard on October 16th. Getting traded to Nashville gave Belak more chances to see Boogaard who wanted a measure of revenge. He got some in Round 2, getting a victory over Belak in a ok fight. Belak took another edge/win in their final meeting of the season in December making for a well-rounded feud.

Round 1: October 16
Round 2: November 29
Round 3: December 6

Riley Cote vs. Eric Godard
Godard continued introducing himself to all who dared call themselves a fighter in the Atlantic Division, getting in a three fight series with Riley Cote. The series is most significant for the first fight, an incredible toe-to-toe fight for the ages. Godard took the re-match and Cote edged out a win in round 3.

Round 1: October 14
Round 2: January 13
Round 3: February 21

Milan Lucic vs. Mike Komisarek
The Boston-Montreal rivalry centered on these two talented players who were underneath each others skin all season long, delivering monster hits and borderline cheapshots all year long. The two dropped the gloves twice officially, once on November 13th with Lucic hammering Komisarek to the ice and a second time in their playoff series with Lucic getting another win. But they were at each others throats all year, collecting matching roughing minors three other times, including Lucic jumping Komisarek from behind on April 9th. Good old-school rivalry here!

Round 1: November 13
Round 2: April 22 (playoffs)
Other shenanigans: All over the place.


My Pick
Who can argue with the fine series of fights Godard and Orr put up. I think they will surely win. But Lucic and Komisarek reminded me of the old days when the best players were the toughest guys and fought their own battles. The playoff fight puts this one over the top for me. I'll watch Montreal vs Boston any day to see these boys go at one another all game long.



Previous Winners

2003-04: Eric Cairns – Dale Purinton
2005-06: Andrew Peters – Brian McGrattan
2006-07: Donald Brashear - Colton Orr
2007-08: Krys Barch - Brad May

[IhateLindros]

I kind of think that Looch-Komi was a bit overrated. Orr and Godard beat the living snot out of each other this season. Although the other two made things interesting, I'd rather see Godard and Orr go at it.

[jkidd]

Due to fan bases, I see the Looch and Komi series winning this, despite the fact that Komi is an uglier man thanks to Looch beating the **** out of him... twice.

But - Colton Orr and Eric Godard were as much as an automatic war as it could get. Both guys with iron chins. Both with endless stamina. Both with HEAVY hands. Both with the attitude to want to be best... and it led to a war of fights that most mortals don't survive half of.

[stevecanuck16]

Lucic and Komisarek gets my vote because of the legitimate hate behind it. It made it more exciting, and ensured that the rivalry kept going even when the gloves stayed on.

[Snipes19]

I think this has to go to Lucic vs Komisarek because that's the most real FEUD out of all those choices. Those guys for sure hate each other.

I mean Belak and Boogaard for example had good fights, but do they really hate each other? We don't know, but even if they do - I don't think the rivalry is as heated as it is/was between Lucic and Komi.

[Isles4life]

While Orr-Godard was a great matchup this season which produced some of the most memorable fights of the year, nothing came close to the real animosity that Lucic and Komisarek had for one another. Even if the fights outcomes were pretty one-sided, these two always made the games in a great team rivalry more entertaining with their own personal feud.

[OneilltheGiant]

Orr v Godard for me... Not really a feud more of a real strong rivalry...

Godard up to this season used to be an easy win for Orr, this season after a couple of loses Godard came back and picked up 2 wins against his rival..

[pbag]

Orr-Godard takes the cake. Four quality fights including a couple of nasty beatings delivered by two of the best around. For me, it doesn't get any better (almost).

Some trash talking in the media and eye goughing was the only thing missing in this feud.

[Grittzkey]

I think Looch/Komi was a good fued all around.. But for the sake of fighting, i'd say Orr/Godard.

[BStreetBullies]

I'm going with the Orr/Godard feud, it had me counting the days til Pens/Rags games. The opening faceoff bout was a classic, and really solidified the bad blood between the two, just a great series of fights!

[Blouin]

Orr-Godard. I love watching them go

[clydefrog]

Orr-Godard are great fights, but it doesnt seem there is bad blood there. Not really a fued, just 2 good fighters going at it. Lucic and Komi really hate each other. Its gotta be them.

[NJDevils17]

Lucic and Komisarek seemed to really hate each other more. Game 4 solidified that.

Orr and Godard sort of had some respect for each other, but they had by far the best fights. Not a single one was bad.

[NJDevils17]

Could Leblond and Cote also get some consideration? Leblond had like half of his fights, including pre-season, against Cote.

[Killah_punk]

Godard and Orr had some good battles.