Sean Avery bleeds as he fights with Micheal Haley. AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek

Rivals Clash to End Season Series

The Islanders and Rangers ended their 2010-11 series with a bang last night, topping off a lop-sided Isles win with four fights in the third period.

Brandon Dubinsky went after Jack Hillen for a hipcheck Hillen threw on Brandon Prust.  Hillen was a willing combatant, but the more experienced Dubinsky was able to handle Hillen before wrestling him to the ice.

Sean Avery was trying to get Travis Hamonic to drop the gloves when Micheal Haley skated over to issue his own challenge.  Both Avery and Haley had the gloves off fast.  Haley landed a couple of good rights to start the fight, opening up Avery.  They grappled some before Haley landed a few more punches and then let the linesmen break it up.  As I stated on Facebook: I like Avery, but I know there's more than a few of you who won't mind seeing him bleed.

Just a minute later Prust and Zenon Konopka were in a tussle.  The two spun, grappled and traded a few strategic shots before tiring out.

With a few minutes left in the game Ruslan Fedotenko and Dylan Reese battled along the boards.  Fedotenko picked up a boarding call and after a few shoves from each these two went at it.  Fedotenko swung away while Reese caught Fedotenko with a couple of good shots in the middle of Fedotenko's flurry.

Both Reese and Hillen picked up their first NHL fighting majors.

Trevor Gillies netted his second goal of the season, equaling the amount of suspensions he's received.

Elsewhere

Not to be outdone by the New York teams, an Original Six rivalry produced its own drama last night.  Jay Rosehill and Milan Lucic had a fight with a little bit of everything, from classic hockey fight to toe-to-toe to real boxing to grappling.  When the two were separated and Lucic was swinging with both hands, he seemed more Cam Neely than ever.  Boston has their true powerfoward back.  Adding to the bout, Brad Marchand let the Leafs know where he thinks they'll be in a couple of weeks.

Jared Boll and John Erskine had a good fight in Washington.  Squaring off at center ice, they traded big punches.

The fight of the night might have come down in Florida.  Remembering Francis Lessard was the player who concussed Scott Timmins, Darcy Hordichuk went after Lessard early in the game.  Rarely not willing, Lessard and Hordichuk traded blow after blow in an entertaining toe-to-toe scrap.

Videos added

Ruslan Fedotenko vs Dylan Reese Mar 31, 2011
Brandon Prust vs Zenon Konopka Mar 31, 2011
Sean Avery vs Micheal Haley Mar 31, 2011
Brandon Dubinsky vs Jack Hillen Mar 31, 2011
Jay Rosehill vs Milan Lucic Mar 31, 2011
Francis Lessard vs Darcy Hordichuk Mar 31, 2011
Jared Boll vs John Erskine Mar 31, 2011
Todd Harvey vs Benoit Hogue Dec 9, 1995
Jason Smith vs Mark Tinordi Jan 6, 1998
Brendan Witt vs Dan Kordic Mar 9, 1997
Andrew Peters vs Matt Johnson Dec 13, 2003
Rudy Poeschek vs Craig Berube Feb 14, 1997