Wild-Isles Chippy

The Wild and Islanders played a surprisingly chippy game last night.  An unexpected 58 PIMs came from the game.  Twenty of those minutes came from two fights.

Early in the first period two recent call-ups, the massive John Scott and well-traveled Joel Rechlicz dropped the gloves and traded big shots.  Scott, the collegian, used his pterodactyl wing to his advantage, while Wrecker tried to fight through his own helment smacking him around to reach his opponent.

In the second, Brendan Witt was making James Sheppard pay the price in front of the net, and a few pushes and gloved whacks later, they started exchanging punches.  Despite having vastly different reputations, the two have the same amount of fighting majors this season: three.

Elsewhere

After Maxim Afinogenov scored an empty-netter to put the Sabres on top for good, Keith Ballard decides to follow-though with his check and Nathan Horton doesn’t get out of the way of it and gives Afinogenov a shove as well.  A scrum ensues and Craig Rivet winds up getting Ballard away from the pack, knocking him down a couple of times before a ref steps in.

After being stopped on his way to the net, Matt Hendricks got into his first NHL fight in the Avs-Ducks game.  Hendricks took on Sheldon Brookbank after a whistle stopped play.  The two had a quick, even fight.

Videos added

Sheldon Brookbank vs Matt Hendricks Mar 25, 2009
James Sheppard vs Brendan Witt Mar 25, 2009
John Scott vs Joel Rechlicz Mar 25, 2009
Keith Ballard vs Craig Rivet Mar 25, 2009
Alex Burrows vs Steve Ott Mar 24, 2009
Owen Nolan vs Colton Orr Mar 24, 2009
Cal Clutterbuck vs Sean Avery Mar 24, 2009

Some reads

Hits keep coming for Clutterbuck
Tampa Bay Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier searches for answers in season gone wrong
Flyers’ Hartnell: Big hair, big season
Ducks re-enter playoff picture
Antagonists like Dallas Stars’ Steve Ott play bigger roles
Tortorella instills Rangers with fighting spirit
One problem with Ovechkin’s celebration — it’s not original
NHL grapples with fighting
Ex-Islanders Campoli, Comrie happy to be Senators
Chelios has left mark with Red Wings during 10 years in Detroit
Poor attendance may cost Thrashers revenue cut
Economy could help Sabres make quick reversal
Bolts’ Tocchet Gets Confidence Vote From GM
Laperriere a whole different guy off the ice
Habs’ fans vent fury at freefall
Caps’ Laich Supplies Grit, And Is Adding Some Polish
NHL Knockout Photos