A Numbers Game

At the beginning of the week I mentioned all of the attention being paid towards the number of fights this preseason and how things should settle down.  While there have been some big bang and crash games, fewer gloves have hit the ice per game and the numbers are starting to resemble a normal preseason.

Ted strong

The New York Islanders are currently on top of the team FM leaders list for this preseason.

We have the Islanders listed at 17 FMs.  Due to shaky preseason boxscores and the mess of the Islanders-Rangers game earlier in the week, the “official” number could be 16 or 18.

Either way, the Islanders had all of 18 FMs during the 2006-07 regular season.  With three games left for the Isles in this preseason, against the Rangers, Devils and Bruins, chances are the Islanders will easily top their mark from last season.

Ted Nolan has this team working hard and it’ll be interesting to see which players stick around when the final roster is set.

Just don’t start it

While no coach is admitting to sending out the boys after the ole Fred Shero tap on the shoulder, Leafs coach Paul Maurice has said he doesn’t want his players looking to prove their worth by fighting.

Fisticuffs have been prominent in some early exhibitions around the National Hockey League and Maurice understands a couple of his players might have to stand up for themselves in an altercation as the only way to show the coach what they can bring to the table.

“A guy such as Nathan Perrott has to hit,” Maurice said of the fourth-line checker.

Perrott certainly hit Danny Bois.

Duck calls

In this video segment on Sportsnet, Bill Clement talks Chris Simon, the Ducks fighting game and general NHL toughness.

More jersey talk

This time from Derek Boogaard:

Some enforcers have said the jerseys are making fighting more difficult and more dangerous.

“A lot of guys are getting hurt. They’re tearing,” he said. “Like the other day, when I got kicked out of that game in Detroit, I was just taking my jersey off and the sleeve ripped all the way up to my elbow. It was unreal. And nobody had been tugging at it or anything.”

Gratton’s status unknown

The Arizona Republic is reporting Josh Gratton could miss the start of the season.

The Coyotes will not make a decision on the status of left wing Josh Gratton until early next week. He broke the ring finger on his left hand during a fight in the first preseason game on Sept. 16 and was expected to miss at least three weeks. The season starts Oct. 4.

Videos added

Aaron Downey vs Andre Roy Sep 24, 2007
Colton Orr vs Chris Simon Sep 24, 2007

Some reads

Rangers’ Avery itches for shot against Isles
Godard helps Flames adjust to life in new pro-scrap NHL
Facing Off with Minnesota Wild LW Derek Boogaard
Brass knuckles: Neely VP
Briere a blend of gifts, grit
Best of times, worst of times under Wirtz
Lorentz’s retirement stuns Sabres

Rebirth of a Rivalry

It didn’t take long for things to spark up in last night’s Rangers vs Islanders game.

Just a few minutes into the first period started a round-robin tourney of dropping the gloves that came to a climax in the second period when goaltenders Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya joined in the festivities.  They, along with other brawl participants, earned an early exit from the game.

Preseason boxscores are never the clearest, and last night’s game has a couple of versions, neither of which paint a clear picture of what was called.  For our log it was easy for the most part due to emails from those in attendance and many who watched the game online thanks to online feeds at newyorkislanders.com and nhl.tv.  If anyone has any corrections to the scoresheet/log, please email them to me.

One thing that is definite is that this rivalry looks like it can once again be one of the best in the NHL.  The two teams play again on Friday night.  The first regular season meeting is Oct 10.

Boxscore/game summaries: Yahoo, TSN
Recaps: newyorkrangers.com, newyorkislanders.com, AP, Sports Network
NY Post: Fightin’ From the Get-Go
NY Post: Simon Says He’s Trying to Move on From the Incident
Newsday: Islanders, Rangers brawl at Nassau Coliseum
Newsday: Blow to Callahan sparked brawling
Newsday: Islanders and Rangers duke it out (photos)
CBC: No common sense behind Simon decision
A poll from Newsday: Too much fighting in hockey?

Extratime: Brian Burke

Due to this weekend’s upcoming Ducks-Kings games, the BBC interviewed Brian Burke.  There’s a 25-minute video interview (Real Player).  I know many here are fans of Brian Burke and will enjoy it.  Thanks to KK for the tip.

Videos added

Danny Bois vs Nathan Perrott Sep 24, 2007
Al Montoya vs Rick DiPietro Sep 24, 2007
Colton Orr vs Kip Brennan Sep 24, 2007
Brandon Dubinsky vs Andy Sutton Sep 24, 2007
Thomas Pock vs Andy Hilbert Sep 24, 2007
Jason Strudwick vs Kip Brennan Sep 24, 2007
Kris Newbury vs Jeff Hoggan Sep 22, 2007
Jay Harrison vs Dennis Wideman Sep 22, 2007

Some notes from friends say there will be some more filling in from last night’s games soon.

A Grand Start

The preseason has been on fire.  Or has it?

There’s been a lot made out of the number of fights that have happened this preseason, highlighted in this TSN piece for example, but the numbers aren’t off from most other preseasons.

Preseasons generally start off with a lot of fights and tail off as the preseason continues.  The reason is simple: there are fewer established NHL players in early preseason games and many of those players are literally fighting for jobs in early games.

Boogaards

The Boogaard boys always seem to be in the news lately.

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune profiles Derek and family.

Derek took a stick to the head and is now listed as day-to-day.

Aaron will be in WBS this season learning as much as possible from Dennis Bonvie.

A little less Domi

Chris Zelkovich reports that you can expect to see Tie Domi less on TSN this season:

As reported here last month, Tie Domi’s role at TSN has been severely reduced. Domi will no longer be a regular on NHL broadcasts and will appear only occasionally to comment on the physical side of the game. TSN says Domi couldn’t fit a regular TV job into his schedule.

More on the new jerseys

Hugh Adami takes a look at the new jerseys being used by the NHL and how they could effect fighting:

But NHL players aren’t completely happy, either. Some, especially those who get into fights, say the jersey’s tight fit and slippery, water-resistant material make it hard for them to grab hold of an opponent’s sweater when they want to tie up the other combatant. So less wrestling themselves to the ground and ending the fight that way. But more punches, which will lead to more head and hand injuries. (Look at this way: Perhaps the NHL has inadvertently come up with a deterrent to hockey fights.)

The jerseys apparently rip easily, too. So it’s probably a good thing that opponents have a hard time grabbing on to the material. Anyway, at least one general manager is looking into the complaints.

Videos added

Some of the more recent videos added:

Steve Downie vs Hugh Jessiman Sep 22, 2007
Jesse Boulerice vs Colton Orr Sep 22, 2007
Colin Murphy vs Daniel Carcillo Sep 19, 2007
Sebastien Roy vs Ryan James Hand Sep 20, 2007
Davey Shea vs Lee Davidson Sep 20, 2007
Ashton Bernard vs Kyle McNeil Sep 20, 2007
Zack Stortini vs Zack FitzGerald Sep 20, 2007
Warren Peters vs Nathan McIver Sep 19, 2007

Continue reading "A Grand Start"

Jersey’d in Jersey

Tom Gulitti is reporting Cam Janssen has injured his shoulder during last night’s Flyers vs Devils game:

Enforcer Cam Janssen might have injured his shoulder tonight because of the league’s new Reebok Edge sweaters. His sweater ripped during his two first period fights with Philadelphia’s Jesse Boulerice. That might have helped Boulerice pull Janssen’s jersey over his head in both altercations and win both decisively. Arron Asham also had his sweater tear during his fight with Riley Cote.

“These new jerseys are supposed to make you faster, but what good are they if they tear that easily,” Mike Rupp said.

A few forum members were at that game and have their own recaps.

Video updates

I’ve been asked what preseason videos we’ll have (from any leagues).  There aren’t a whole lot that are broadcast, but we’ll cover what we can and post whatever else comes up.

Molto bene

Thanks to Italian member balboozer, we get a peek at a preseason game over in Italy, Serie A1.  This is from Bolzano (read) vs Renon (white).  The players involved are Rolly Ramoser (Bolzano) and Jan Vodrazka (Renon).  Apparently there are no rules about clearing the area when the gloves are dropped over there.

Nd of Ndur?

The Mirror is reporting Rumun Ndur‘s season might be over already.

Hat tip to Alanah on that one.

Some reads

Coyotes have goals in mind
Super Series’ success could spur faceoff with U.S.
Focus is on playoff return
Double jeopardy
Bettman trying to take a leaf out of NFL’s book
It’s Hemsky’s time to step up for Oilers
Gomez, Drury likely only new faces for Rangers
Kasparaitis Goes From Rock Bottom to Rock Hard
Q and A With the LAK: Ivanans
Gauthier is Fighting for a Job
Norton Looking To Find A Home In San Jose
Yablonski prepared to fight for his job

Just One

Just one more day until the Ducks meet the Kings in the first preseason game of the 2007-08 NHL season.

More Clowe

The Telegram takes a look at Ryane Clowe, and whether or not he can repeat his solid performance from last season.

“Last year I was trying to show I could stick around,” Clowe said. “This year they’re looking for me to play a bit more.”

Clowe did more last year than simply show he could stick around. He established himself as a genuine NHL power forward after picking up 16 goals, 18 assists, 34 points and 78 penalty minutes. For a while he played the wing on a line with NHL superstar Joe Thornton, displaying a mix of brawn and finesse that endeared him to Sharks’ coach Ron Wilson.

A hockeyfights.com mention appears shortly after.

Videos added

We’ve been continuing to add minor and junior fights.  The easiest way to keep up to date is by subscribing to the feeds here.

Some reads

An anniversary for hockey in Idaho
Belinda Stronach and Tie Domi quietly split up over summer, sources say
Huxley fights for spot in Oilers organization
New talent on Broadway
Meeting Probert highlight of Afghanistan tour for Canadian soldier