Getting Political
On page 2 of The Weekly Standard‘s profile of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is this fun mention:
Growing up, Pawlenty played hockey. He is still a rabid NHL fan. The first website he visits each morning is hockeyfights.com, which shows combat highlights from the previous night’s games.
Very cool. I don’t get political here, but I’ll have to decide what to start lobbying for…
Playoffs continue
As I type this the Rangers are taking on the Sabres in overtime on NBC.
I can’t wait for the Ducks and Canucks on Versus tonight. I know it’s only been two games, but I wasn’t expecting this series to be tied after game one ended.
Both networks have done a great job so far during the playoffs. When I get them, the HD picture and camera angles have been great. Definitely an improvement over last season.
Videos added
Tie Domi vs Rob Ray Nov 21, 1996
Bob Probert vs Tie Domi Apr 3, 1996
Jim Cummins vs Shawn Heins Jan 17, 2002
Dennis Bonvie vs Patrick Cote Jan 15, 2000
Richard Scott vs Eric Cairns Dec 4, 2003
Today’s games
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers 2:00 PM ET
Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks 8:00 PM ET
Some Good Filler
Ah, “filler”, usually crappy, but we’re bringing the good stuff.
There haven’t been any fights in the few games since the last video update, but I have added some clips.
Be sure to check out the 2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards.
Videos Added
Brian Boyle vs Brennan Evans Apr 21, 2007 (AHL)
Bob Probert vs Tie Domi Dec 2, 1992
Bob Probert vs Tie Domi Feb 9, 1992
Gerard Gallant vs Paul Broten Feb 9, 1992
Steve Chiasson vs Joe Cirella Feb 9, 1992
(three above all the same clip)
Tie Domi vs Rob Ray Feb 25, 1998
Eric Godard vs Lyle Odelein Nov 19, 2003
George Parros vs Donald Brashear Dec 8, 2006
Tie Domi had great rivalries with Bob Probert and Rob Ray. Definitely more to come with each.
Tonight’s Games
New York Rangers vs Buffalo Sabres 7:00 PM ET
Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks 10:00 PM ET
Some reads
Nix interviews, just put mikes on players
Comments from Avery, Renney backfire as Buffalo adds fuel to its fire
Tie Domi Gets a Warning
Avery hurt his own team most of all
Dissecting the post-series handshake
2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards
I present the 2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards.
The awards are a collaborative effort by the hockeyfights.com content team headed up by Jon Porus. Not only did he lay the foundation for many of the categories and nominees, but he got to have a lot of fun picking award names. Tons of thanks to them for helping set all of these up. Update: The NHL's 2006-07 awards have been added below.
Below are all our categories this season. Cast your vote and have your say.
- Fight of the Year
- Kocur Award: TKO or KO of the Year
- Probert Award: Fighter of the Year
- Crowder Award: Rookie of the Year
- People's Choice Award
- Broad Street Bully Award: Best Enforcing Team
- Worst Enforcing Team
- Most Improved/Comeback Fighter
- Wells Award: Most Under-Rated/Unknown Fighter
- Best Mid-Season Fighter Pick-Up of the Year
- Best Team Feud
- Grimson Award: Best Punching Power/Most Destructive Fighter
- Best Player Feud
- Biggest Let-Down
- Schultz Award: Most Old-School Moment
- Shero Award: Fighting Advocate of the Year
- Kimble Award: Most Exciting Fighter
- McPhee Award: Best Middleweight/Light Heavyweight
2006-07 NHL Awards:
It Continues
No eliminations yesterday. The Wings sent the Flames a message, and the Stars held off the Canucks behind the strong play of Marty Turco (again).
The Wings-Flames game was pretty chippy. Dion Phaneuf and Todd Bertuzzi dropped the gloves, but never really threw punches. They picked up fighting majors nonetheless.
Yesterday’s fight
Dion Phaneuf vs Todd Bertuzzi Apr 21, 2007
More Ducks-Wild
Just because the series is over doesn’t mean “it’s over”.
From Minnesota: Parting Shots
Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough on Saturday took a thinly veiled shot at colleague Brian Burke by accusing the Anaheim boss of employing a thug in Brad May, who earned a three-game suspension for punching out Kim Johnsson.
Risebrough also told series lightning rod Derek Boogaard not to shake hands with the Ducks after Game 5 because he feared something might erupt on the receiving line.
Wild coach Jacques Lemaire also said he refused to shake hands because of May’s actions and Burke’s pre-series comments talking up Anaheim’s toughness.
From Anaheim: Series conclusion doesn’t end the talk
“Until today,” a perturbed Burke said late Saturday afternoon, “I thought the great wines in America were made in California. But now I know they’re made in St. Paul.”
Punny, very punny. Burke obviously was talking about the whines emanating from the Twin Cities of late — the variety made from sour grapes.
“I’m embarrassed by this; it’s so disrespectful to our players,” Burke said. “The other team whined after Game 1, they whined after Game 2, after Game 3, after Game 4, after Game 5 ... now it’s continuing, instead of admitting our team did a good job against their team and deserved to win. Four years ago Minnesota beat my team at Vancouver in the playoffs (when Burke was the Canucks GM.) I didn’t whine. We took our lumps and moved on.
“You know, there is a classy way to lose and there is a no-class way to lose. This is (an example of) a no-class way to lose.”
Johnsson, Minnesota still feeling pain
May Boo’d
Opportunity is more than just ice time for Foster
Some reads
Drugs, violence have no place in hockey - Mike Keenan writes about the Islanders’ Chris Simon and Sean Hill
Habs needed Avery’s help
Pens’ GM Shero must address list of priorities
In the Grizzled Rangers Lineup, Two Fresh Faces Light Up the Ice
Today’s games
New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 1:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames 7:00 PM ET
And Another Two
Two of three games last night led to eliminations: the Sabres ended the Islanders season and the Sharks took care of the Predators.
The end of the Lightning at Devils game, the only non-elimination game last night, got physical. The Bolts were definitely frustrated by the Devils and were already trying to put the game past them and try and set the tone for the next game in Tampa. Devils assistant coach John MacLean let Lightning head coach John Tortorella know how he felt after the Nolan Pratt-Jamie Langenbrunner fight. Maybe he didn’t like Andre Roy and Pratt looking for trouble at the end of the game, or maybe it was just because the linesmen weren’t in a rush to break up the second fight, where Pratt had the clear upper-hand. Neither would say, but Lighting captain Tim Taylor spoke of setting the tone for next game:
“It’s about Game 6. That’s what it’s all about: getting ready for Game 6 and letting them know we’re not a team that just gives in,” Taylor said. “It’s about one game, winning Game 6, and that’s what the end of the game was about, that we’re letting them know we’re not giving in.”
Chris Simon’s Suspension
The Islanders played a total of 5 playoff games. That leaves Chris Simon with 5 games remaining on his suspension. These carry into next regular season, assuming he signs with an NHL team. Simon is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Sean Hill’s Suspension
Hours prior to last night’s games it was announced that Hill has been suspended 20 games.
League bans Hill for drug violation
If the Islanders were wondering what else possibly could go wrong in their Stanley Cup first-round series against Buffalo, they got the answer hours before Game 5 against the Sabres Friday night at HSBC Arena. Defenseman Sean Hill made ignominious history Friday afternoon when he became the first player ever suspended under a new NHL program for violating policy banning the use of performance-enhancing substances. There was no announcement of the substance used by Hill that violated the policy.
Hill, now 37-years old, has 19 games left on this suspension and is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Islanders didn’t make much of a peep regarding Hill’s suspension. GM Garth Snow said “The Islanders support the commissioner’s decision.” The Toronto Star’s Damien Cox thinks the timing of it is suspicious.
Last night’s fights
Andre Roy vs Michael Rupp Apr 20, 2007
Nolan Pratt vs Jamie Langenbrunner Apr 20, 2007
Today’s games
Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings 3:00 PM ET
Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars 8:00 PM ET
Some reads
Clearly, Wild have a long way to go
Assessing midseason NHL deals
Not the same old Sens
Stars’ Sydor thrives on hitting
Lindros rusty but happy to be back
Rangers Sign Colton Orr to a Contract Extension
Rangers Sign Hollweg, Pock and Sanguinetti to New Contracts
Update 325pm: Randy Youngman writes about the Wild-Ducks series, focusing on Lemaire and Boogaard, neither of whom shook hands after the series was over.
Two More Gone
The Senators have eliminated the Pens and the Ducks took care of the Wild.
Meanwhile the Stars kept the series alive against the Canucks by scoring the first goal of the game in OT (another OT, the only series to really love it so far this season), and the Flames tied things up against the Wings.
There were no fights last night, although the pregame of the Wild-Ducks game had a lot of people thinking there would have been at least one.
Other fights added
Tie Domi vs Darren Langdon Dec 6, 1996
Kirk Muller vs Bill Berg Dec 6, 1996
Domi vs Langdon Jan 12, 1998
Darren Langdon vs Tie Domi Nov 8, 2000
Tie Domi vs Darren Langdon Mar 13, 2004
The Kirk Muller-Bill Berg fight was right after the first Tie Domi-Darren Langdon fight, so I included the link here. It’s the same footage.
Curt Fraser vs Terry Carkner Nov 16, 1989
Brad May vs Terry Carkner Nov 11, 1995
Terry Carkner vs Brad May Feb 25, 1996
Terry Carkner vs Mark Janssens Jan 21, 1998
Why all the Terry Carkner? Just trying to help add something to this great forums post.
Tonight’s games
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils 7:00 PM ET
New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres 7:00 PM ET
San Jose Sharks vs Nashville Predators 9:00 PM ET
Some reads
May hopes Wild’s Johnsson will be OK
A finale most foul
A Sport for Tough Guys
Fine feathered fiends
Shanahan, Avery driving Rangers in playoffs
Shanny got what he came for
Wild and Ducks Get Busy During Pregame
Derek Boogaard and George Parros got busy during the pregame warmups for tonight’s game.
Yahoo’s got the goods: the boxscore, and you can watch the game live for free. There’s a link towards the top of that page that opens a pop - I’d recommend signing into Yahoo beforehand.
After the update about the pregame, the broadcast panned to the arena where they had a moment of silence for the Virginia Tech victims. A classy move by the Ducks organization.
Update 1110pm: Wild and Ducks clash during Game 5 pre-game skate
Update 120am: The series comes to an end after a strong game by the Ducks.
Playoff Battles Continue
The Thrashers, who had home advantage and lost both of the first two games to the Rangers got trounced last night. Ilya Kovalchuk started to take his frustration out on Sean Avery. I was a little surprised majors were called. Kovalchuk did get off a couple of punches, but most of those situations seem to wind up having the player in Kovalchuk’s jersey get a double roughing, and the other player a roughing. As good as the Rangers look, the Thrashers look just as bad. The odds don’t look good for the first playoff win in franchise history, but the fans in Atlanta definitely deserve one.
The Wild stayed alive last night, holding off the Ducks, and giving their home crowd at least one playoff victory.
After avoiding the penalty box pretty well throughout his hockey career, Brent Burns has suddenly thrown fighting into his game. Just four days after his first career fight, he went again last night. This time he matched up against Corey Perry.
Adam Hall then started to fight with Kent Huskins, but Shawn Thornton jumped in. A scrum ensued, but the punching was done, at least between those two. During that same scrum Brad May was ejected for popping Kim Johnsson. As he received an attempt to injure penalty, the league will automatically review the play, and he could be suspended.
Do Wild fans like Derek Boogaard? Here’s a clip from after the fight mentioned above. Nothing happened once play started, but nothing really had to.
Last night’s fights
Ilya Kovalchuk vs Sean Avery Apr 17, 2007
Corey Perry vs Brent Burns Apr 17, 2007
Kent Huskins vs Adam Hall Apr 17, 2007
Tonight’s games
New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 PM ET
Atlanta Thrashers vs New York Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders 7:30 PM ET
Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET
Some reads
Wild unveil new-look top line, plus a bit more offense to boot
Roberts’ leadership paying dividends for Pens
Thrashers taken in by agitator’s antics
Fiesty Sean Avery has emerged as a skilled force
N.H.L. Ratings Are All Over the Ice
Ducks, Wild scraps result in match penalty for Brad May
At long last, Wild are full of fight
The Avery quote of the night, from Rangers’ Avery at his troublemaking best again:
Somebody asked Avery if he would take that trade-off, him for Kovalchuk, expecting the obvious answer.
“Not really, not right now,” he said. “Would you? I’d rather have me on the ice than him.”
Update 1200pm: Another good read: Tough guy becomes series-saving distraction
Armstrong’s Hit Takes Out Eaves
Colby Armstrong is letting the Senators know he’s come to play. After going -2 in the first game of the series, Armstrong has gotten into a fight, picked up an assist and threw a huge hit a Patrick Eaves, which took him out of the game via stretcher.
Sens coach Bryan Murray called the hit clean:
“I read all the articles when Chris Neil hit (the Sabres') Chris Drury (in February) and it was the same type of hit,” he said. “It was a kid trying to make contact. (Eaves) had his head down a little bit. He got driven with the shoulder, that’s part of hockey.
“I feel bad with (Eaves) getting hurt the way he did and I know you’ll write extensive articles about how tough Armstrong was and how that shouldn’t be allowed,’’ Murray continued, ‘‘but we felt the same way when Neil hit Drury.
’‘It was a fair hit, a hockey hit and we live with it accordingly.”
Moments after the hit Dean McAmmond challenged Maxime Talbot.
Dean McAmmond vs Maxime Talbot Apr 15, 2007
McAmmond already netted a goal and added an assist later in the second period to complete the Gordie Howe hat trick.
Some reads
Burns finally earns his hockey fighting stripes
Much-needed symbol of respect
Thirty-something Dean McAmmond packed a punch the Senators needed after losing Game 2 to Pittsburgh
Sens flex their muscle
Chelios a cyclepath
Sharks’ coach: Blame claim ‘comical’
Been there, done that
Ott goes from afterthought to force
NHL’s most famous goon still has that fighting spirit
Today’s games
New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 PM ET
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders 7:30 PM ET
Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET
Quick Follow-Up
Looks like the fighting didn’t end Friday night. Colby Armstrong dropped the gloves and had a quick fight with Mike Comrie after an invitation from Comrie during a faceoff.
All of yesterday’s games were played pretty tough. Definitely a good playoff year so far. It’s a shame there’s not one divisional matchup in the first round.
Yesterday’s fight
Colby Armstrong vs Mike Comrie Apr 14, 2007
Some reads
Rangers’ Avery Makes His Luck and the Difference
Wild can’t afford to get boxed in again tonight
Getzlaf appears to be closing the gap between potential and performance
Probert avoids adding to record
Boogaard ill, vexed by referees
Today’s games
Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings 1:00 PM ET
Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins 6:00 PM ET
Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild 8:00 PM ET
Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars 9:30 PM ET
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