Brian McGrattan and Jay Rosehill Wow Nashville

Brian McGrattan lands a punch on Jay Rosehill. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

Brian McGrattan and Jay Rosehill Wow Nashville

Nov 18, 2011 1:53 AM David M Singer

Brian McGrattan and Jay Rosehill had a toe-to-toe, I'm-tired-from-just-watching-that fight last night. The wow-ing was done more by McGrattan, who clearly got the best of the fight, but Rosehill was game and kept going until the linesmen broke it up.

McGrattan's hands were bleeding after the fight. I asked him if there was any real damage and he said, "hands are ok, I hit his bucket a couple times at the end. [It was a] good tilt, I feel better and more comfortable than I ever have. Big props to Rosehill, too." He added he is "gonna chase that #1 spot."

McGrattan's made it clear he isn't looking to just collect a paycheck with the Preds. After his great fight with Cam Janssen in October, I told McGrattan I couldn't believe Janssen kept asking for more. He said "Janssen fights me smart, wish he would open up". After that fight, his first of the season, he was already declaring, "I'll be sliding into that #1 spot very shortly."

He has a goal: to be the toughest man in hockey. There aren't many who can challenge him right now, although Steve MacIntyre put on quite a show during his conditioning stint with the Baby Pens.

After three good wins, McGrattan's a contender for sure, and if nothing else, he's got two of the top four best rated fights of the year. Nashville's a town that appreciates their tough guys and Brian McGrattan is making a hell of an impression.

This post title was inspired by Ian Laperriere who took to Twitter to simply say "Wow" about last night's fight.

There were a handful of other fights last night. Jared Boll and Shawn Thornton had a good go in Boston. It was Boll's second fight after coming back from injury and he's looking like he didn't miss a game.

Videos added

Kyle Clifford vs Sheldon Brookbank Nov 17, 2011
Jay Rosehill vs Brian McGrattan Nov 17, 2011
John Erskine vs Chris Thorburn Nov 17, 2011
David Jones vs Justin Falk Nov 17, 2011
Jared Boll vs Shawn Thornton Nov 17, 2011
Kyle Chipchura vs Zac Rinaldo Nov 17, 2011

Comments

Craigonator, you are correct. Scott is undefeated in the NHL. Nobody can get near him. Mac throws harder, but Scott would keep him at bay.
Posted by Tyrone on 2011-11-23 00:16:43 Big Mac is prolly the best right now, but if John Scott would fight him smart, Scott would prevail due to his reach. Mac does throw much harder. I'd love to see Mac and Reeves, and Mac and Orr.
Posted by Tyrone on 2011-11-23 00:15:27 George Parros...not a heavyweight? Keep smokin!
Posted by Craig W. on 2011-11-21 20:25:11 As a lifelong Preds fan, management has never failed to impress, even when the team sucked. They home-grow the majority of their guys - Suter, Weber, and Rinne, for example - make smart trades, and for the past several years, have been one of the few teams to maintain some toughness. It was a sad day when Belak retired (and even more so when he died) but true to form, they replaced him with Stortini and then immediately replaced *him* with McCracken the moment he became available. I hope he sticks around for awhile.
Posted by dorian on 2011-11-20 10:18:22 he has never fought a legit heavyweight....get real
Posted by Jeffboucher19 on 2011-11-20 09:55:52 What about Big #32 in Chicago that no one will fight?
Posted by Craig W. on 2011-11-19 19:30:39 thats why im watching hockey so keep up the good work
can't wait to see preds vs bruins

Posted by New_john_wayne27 on 2011-11-19 10:53:10 This fight was BananaBalls!! Loved.It.
Posted by Hsmcds2009 on 2011-11-18 10:34:00 It's really good to see McGrattan back in the bigs all cleaned up. It might be premature to crown him, but there is no way a discussion of the top heavies won't include him if he keeps it up.
Posted by Bruins34 on 2011-11-18 09:49:59