Laraque Makes a Statement

It’s a well-known fact that Georges Laraque doesn’t necessarily enjoy fighting. He does it because it’s his job.

It remains a stance doesn’t exactly mesh with some of fighting’s most ardent followers, and it also has become fuel for a certain group. Some fans feel that Laraque’s possible exit out of Montreal may be connected to his lack of fighting majors, regardless of his injury problems this season.

Laraque wants to remain with the Canadiens, and the reasoning behind the Habs signing him last summer was on display Saturday night, as Laraque delivered a thorough beatdown to Sharks heavyweight Jody Shelley. After the fight, Montreal went on to score three first period goals en route to a win.

If Laraque didn’t prove his value to the team through his efforts against Shelley, he may have improved his stock to those interested in potentially acquiring his services before Wednesday’s trade deadline.

Ott suspended after Moen fight

The rest of yesterday’s games produced eight other fights. Three of the games featured more than one fight, bringing this season’s total to 137 such contests. Six more instances will result in the breaking of last year’s mark and the continued pace of the highest total multi-fight games this decade.

One of those games was an afternoon battle between the Ducks and Stars. While time was expiring in the third and final period, Steve Ott delivered a series of cross-checks to the back of Scott Niedermayer. Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere took exception and gave Ott a jab with his stick. Travis Moen then grabbed Ott and swung away until Ott was able to push him off-balance and to the ice.

Sporting a broken hand, Ott didn’t provide much offense during the fight, and once things hit the ground, he apparently gouged one of Moen’s eyes. Ott has reportedly been suspended pending a review on Monday. After the game, Ott said that the gouge was accidental. Moen believes different:

Moen said he was upset by the incident.

“You don’t like it when a guy eye-gouges you after a fight,” he said. “You know, I guess he felt he had to eye-gouge me. I don’t know. Maybe it wasn’t intentional. Maybe he was just trying to get at me, and was pulling, and got my eye or whatever.”

Other notable bouts on Saturday included a rare Red Wings fight involving Andreas Lilja and Predator defenseman Shea Weber as well as Chris Stewart stepping up a weight class to take on Colton Orr in Avs-Rangers. Friday’s only bout saw Stephane Veilleux exchange blows with Curtis Glencross.

Videos added

B.J. Crombeen vs Steve Goertzen Feb 28, 2009
Chris Stewart vs Colton Orr Feb 28, 2009
Darcy Tucker vs Paul Mara Feb 28, 2009
Jody Shelley vs Georges Laraque Feb 28, 2009
Travis Moen vs Steve Ott Feb 28, 2009
Sheldon Brookbank vs Trevor Daley Feb 28, 2009
Nick Tarnasky vs David Clarkson Feb 28, 2009
Anthony Stewart vs Bryce Salvador Feb 28, 2009
Stephane Veilleux vs Curtis Glencross Feb 27, 2009
Doug Doull vs Andrew Peters Mar 11, 2004
Hal Gill vs Adam Mair Mar 11, 2004
Donald Brashear vs Dody Wood Feb 26, 1996

We were unable to grab the fight from the Detroit-Nashville game due to technical difficulties. We will add it as soon as we get it.

Some reads

Lucic did not pull any punches
Shane O’Brien wishes he stayed with Tampa Bay Lightning
No longer a battle in Ontario
Eager to shed ‘enforcer’ role
They brought plenty of punch to this party | Fight Cub 
Islanders deal paid dividends for years to come
City denies report of $15M Coyotes break
Red Wings seldom fight, but recognize the need for fisticuffs in the game
Lack of suspension angers Ducks
Ducks wait for NHL decision on Stars’ Ott
Ex-NHLer gets ring 55 years after the Cup
Panthers punish Boynton

Giveaway

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