Hawks-Nucks Throwdown Caps Busy Weekend

This past weekend featured a little bit of everything: heavyweight tilts, multi-fight games, and even a line brawl. In all, the games during the last two days resulted in 17 total fights, and the number of games that featured at least one fight has been bumped up to 521, now the highest mark in this decade.

Saturday was highlighted by a four-fight contest between the Isles and Flyers. Doug Weight went after Darroll Powe for a hit on Tim Jackman in the opening minutes of the game and the Isles quickly shot out to an early lead. Three fights then broke out in the second period. Daniel Carcillo tangled with Nate Thompson six minutes into the frame. They were followed by Joel Rechlicz and Riley Cote, who exchanged punches in a long bout. Arron Asham dropped Jackman with a right hand a few minutes after that.

In addition, Colton Orr and Eric Godard dropped the gloves for the fourth time this season in an afternoon clash between the Rangers and Pens and Milan Lucic won a decision from Phil Oreskovic in Bruins-Leafs.

Sunday’s main attraction was a line brawl during last night’s Canucks-Blackhawks game. In the third period, Dustin Byfuglien ran into Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo and gave him a shot to the mask with his stick. This prompted an immediate gathering between the players. Order was temporarily restored and Byfuglien was escorted to the penalty box, only to have chaos erupt moments later.

Ben Eager and Kevin Bieksa opted to dance and the two went at it in a wild fight. Also paired off were Duncan Keith and Alexandre Burrows, who mostly grappled in close quarters while Burrows was caught with a hand full of Keith’s hair on more than one occasion.

Elsewhere, Carcillo and Steve Montador had a go in Bruins-Flyers. It was the second fight for each player in the last 24 hours. Andrew Ference going up against Scott Hartnell was the other fight in that game. Mike Brown and Ian Laperriere also decided to shed the mitts during Avs-Ducks in another notable bout.

Videos added

Ian Laperriere vs Mike Brown Mar 29, 2009
John Scott vs Zack Stortini Mar 29, 2009
Andrew Ference vs Scott Hartnell Mar 29, 2009
Steve Montador vs Daniel Carcillo Mar 29, 2009
Alexandre Burrows vs Duncan Keith Mar 29, 2009
Kevin Bieksa vs Ben Eager Mar 29, 2009
Arron Asham vs Tim Jackman Mar 28, 2009
Riley Cote vs Joel Rechlicz Mar 28, 2009
Daniel Carcillo vs Nate Thompson Mar 28, 2009
Darroll Powe vs Doug Weight Mar 28, 2009
Daniel Winnik vs Travis Moen Mar 28, 2009
Nick Foligno vs Nathan Oystrick Mar 28, 2009
Craig Rivet vs Tom Kostopoulos Mar 28, 2009
Steve Montador vs Luke Schenn Mar 28, 2009
Milan Lucic vs Phil Oreskovic Mar 28, 2009
Colton Orr vs Eric Godard Mar 28, 2009
Sean Avery vs Tyler Kennedy Mar 28, 2009

Some reads

Tampa Bay Lightning hits milestone for man-games lost to injury
The Demon on His Shoulder
Penner pushing
One-on-One with Kip Brennan
Jacques makes big impression in limited time
Avs going through growing pains now for next season
Who will be Ducks’ goalie of the future?
Fans deserve winner
PQ suggests Caisse consider buying Canadiens
Coyotes look to end season strong

Gaustad, Parros Each Go Twice

The Sabres and Leafs, sitting at the #10 and #11 spots in the Eastern Conference, played a game one would expect from teams a little more playoff-bound.  There were three fights in the game.  Paul Gaustad went with both Jamal Mayers and Pavel Kubina.  Dominic Moore took on former teammate and rookie Luke Schenn in the second.

The Ducks, playing some desperate hockey, trying to get that 8th spot in the West, were quickly down 2-0 to the Oilers.  George Parros tried to spark his team by dropping the gloves with JF Jacques.  Later in the period, after a few hits and a gathering near the Oilers’ net, Parros got to swing away again, this time against Zack Stortini.

There was one other fight last night, David Clarkson taking on Brent Seabrook.

Videos added

David Clarkson vs Brent Seabrook Mar 27, 2009
Zack Stortini vs George Parros Mar 27, 2009
Jean-Francois Jacques vs George Parros Mar 27, 2009
Pavel Kubina vs Paul Gaustad Mar 27, 2009
Luke Schenn vs Dominic Moore Mar 27, 2009
Jamal Mayers vs Paul Gaustad Mar 27, 2009
Hans Benson vs Frazer McLaren Mar 27, 2009
Jim Vandermeer vs Jared Boll Mar 26, 2009
Todd Bertuzzi vs Rostislav Klesla Mar 26, 2009

Some reads

Tampa Bay Lightning wing David Koci works on being more than a fighter
A hockey exhibit’s cold, hard facts
Mark Stuart plays with confidence on Bruins blue line
Gaustad gets rewarded for efforts
Fan’s threats no game for law enforcement
Players, league draw battle lines
Hearing on Lighthouse project draws more than 1,000

Tempers Flare in Columbus

If the playoffs were to start today, the Flames and Blue Jackets would face each other in the first round. They’re certainly playing like it too. In the middle of a blowout win for Columbus last night, the two teams combined for 108 PIM during a rough and tumble second period.

Business picked up after Olli Jokinen and Rostislav Klesla dropped the gloves a few minutes into the period. They only received roughings, as did Dion Phaneuf and Fedor Tyutin. It only escalated from there. With less than five minutes left in the frame, Jared Boll laid a hard hit on Daymond Langkow near the benches. Players gathered immediately after and Klesla opted to fight Todd Bertuzzi. The two each got in a punch before falling to the ice. At the same time, Jim Vandermeer challenged Boll for the hit and they went back and forth in a solid tilt.

Other bouts on Thursday included the first-ever meeting between Raitis Ivanans and Krys Barch in Kings-Stars and a lackluster dance featuring Gregory Campbell and Daniel Carcillo right off the opening faceoff of Panthers-Flyers.

Videos added

Raitis Ivanans vs Krys Barch Mar 26, 2009 
Matt Clackson vs Matt Carkner Mar 25, 2009
Tom Sestito vs Nolan Baumgartner Mar 24, 2009
Kevin Harvey vs Tommy Maxwell Mar 24, 2009
Adam Keefe vs Alex Henry Mar 24, 2009
Ryan Reaves vs Brennan Evans Mar 24, 2009
Jeff Cowan vs Ryan Donally Mar 24, 2009
Grant McNeill vs Paul Crosty Mar 22, 2009
Benn Olson vs Jon Mirasty Mar 21, 2009
Grant McNeill vs Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond Mar 20, 2009 
Chris Minard vs Jonathon Kalinski Mar 20, 2009
Paul Bissonnette vs Matt Clackson Mar 20, 2009

We were unable to grab the fight from the Florida-Philadelphia game due to technical difficulties. We will add it as soon as we get it. The rest of last night’s clips should be added later today.

Some reads

Ovechkin’s Celebration Already ‘a Done Deal’
Gillett denies he’s a seller
Kesler, Burrows comments don’t pay off for Canucks
The five people you meet in playoff heaven
Howard showing patience with reaching NHL

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

NHL Hits of the Week Mar 24, 2008

The best hits from the past week, made by the NHL.

Staubitz Hands Tootoo Rare Loss

When staying inside of his weight class, very rarely does Jordin Tootoo lose, at least in a decisive fashion. That wasn’t the case last night. In their second fight this season, Brad Staubitz handed Tootoo his first loss of the year during Thursday’s game between the Predators and Sharks.

The two decided to drop the gloves right off of a second period faceoff. Things were relatively even until a toe-to-toe exchange saw Staubitz connect with a number of unanswered punches while Tootoo came up short with all but one of his. Staubitz continued to lay into Tootoo until the linesmen intervened. Tootoo then skated back to the dressing room with a bloody nose.

Brian McGrattan also got into his second fight this season, and his second in the last two nights, against George Parros in the first period of Ducks-Yotes. The fight wasn’t very action-packed. Neither fighter landed anything of note and the scrap abruptly ended when McGrattan went down to the ice. He skated off favoring his right shoulder, which likely had fight fans immediately thinking back to his injury problems of the past, but he ultimately returned to the game later on.

Wednesday’s games resulted in two fights as well: Steve Ott and Jamie Lundmark tangled after a battle along the boards in Stars-Flames, and Scott Nichol and Mike Brown fell right away in a quick one during Preds-Ducks.

Videos added

Jordin Tootoo vs Brad Staubitz Mar 19, 2009
George Parros vs Brian McGrattan Mar 19, 2009
Steve Ott vs Jamie Lundmark Mar 18, 2009
Scott Nichol vs Mike Brown Mar 18, 2009
Rob Blake vs Daniel Winnik Mar 17, 2009
Ian White vs Cal Clutterbuck Jan 27, 2009
Wade Belak vs Colton Orr Oct 27, 2005

Some reads

Gervais brings upbeat personality to Islanders
Sharks — and their teeth — are fortunate to have Mr. Fix-it handy
Montador is standing tall
McGrattan eases back into scrapper role
Big Apple loves Avery | Why couldn’t Dallas Stars, Avery make it work?
AHL team would help the Lehigh Valley ice hockey community

NHL Hits of the Week Mar 17, 2008

The best hits from the past week, made by the NHL.

McGrattan Returns to Face Shelley

Brian McGrattan made his return to the NHL last night.  McGrattan missed a few months after entering the league and PA’s substance abuse program.  Upon exit the Coyotes sent him to San Antonio for a warm-up game, then recalled him to Phoenix to play in just his fourth NHL game this season.

McGrattan took on Jody Shelley in the second period.  It’s been over a year since Grats had a scrap, but he handled the Sharks’ heavyweight well and there didn’t appear to be any rink rust.

McGrattan and Shelley had one previous fight a few years ago, when both were out east (geographically, at least).

There were two other bouts in the tight western game: Rob Blake wrestled with Daniel Winnik and Brad Staubitz met up with Brandon Prust.

Elsewhere

Ben Eager and Mike Rupp dropped the gloves in Martin Brodeur’s (and Patrick Elias’) record-breaking game.

After a scrum that wouldn’t end quickly, Boris Valabik skated off clutching his shoulder after trading one big shot against Eric Godard.

Ethan Moreau punched down Jeff Woywitka off a faceoff for a hit on Ales Hemsky earlier.

Jamal Mayers went rapid-fire on Ryan Craig in the Leafs shootout win over the Bolts.

Videos added

Brad Staubitz vs Brandon Prust Mar 17, 2009
Jody Shelley vs Brian McGrattan Mar 17, 2009
Jeff Woywitka vs Ethan Moreau Mar 17, 2009
Jamal Mayers vs Ryan Craig Mar 17, 2009
Boris Valabik vs Eric Godard Mar 17, 2009
Ben Eager vs Michael Rupp Mar 17, 2009

Some reads

When the gloves drop
Tucker’s season rough on veteran
Artyukhin Gaining A Reputation
Dallas Stars’ Morrison hopes to recapture old magic
Grabovski apologizes to Blake | Grabovski-Blake: Round 2
NHL to snatch player salaries, battles with Isles over jerseys

Shelley and Parros Meet Again

Jody Shelley and George Parros went at it once again during Sunday’s game between the Sharks and Ducks. The fight was the eighth between the two in the last four seasons. Their rivalry started while Shelley was with the Blue Jackets and Parros with the Kings, and continued after the two switched teams.

The scrap was slightly more exciting than your usual heavyweight encounter and featured both fighters using both hands.

Here are the other seven bouts between them:

Jody Shelley vs George Parros Mar 4, 2006
Jody Shelley vs George Parros Jan 5, 2007
George Parros vs Jody Shelley Dec 10, 2007
George Parros vs Jody Shelley Mar 21, 2008
George Parros vs Jody Shelley Sep 26, 2008
Jody Shelley vs George Parros Oct 17, 2008
George Parros vs Jody Shelley Dec 11, 2008

Elsewhere Sunday, Daniel Girardi went after Mike Richards following a Richards hit on Nikolai Zherdev during the first period of an afternoon clash between the Flyers and Rangers. Girardi threw some punches while Richards was content to just hold on. It was yesterday’s only other fight.

Videos added

Jody Shelley vs George Parros Mar 15, 2009
Mike Richards vs Daniel Girardi Mar 15, 2009
Paul Bissonnette vs Grant McNeill Mar 14, 2009
Brent Henley vs Matt Carkner Mar 14, 2009
Wade Brookbank vs Jeremy Yablonski Mar 14, 2009
Nate Guenin vs Mike Angelidis Mar 14, 2009
Matt Clackson vs Benn Olson Mar 14, 2009

Some reads

Coaches culpable on staged fights
Tocchet, Bolts Demanding Accountability
Battle rages over fighting
Look for the Regier-Ruff team to stay on the job
Where hockey’s in the DNA
14 months after concussion, Pothier rejoins Caps
Moen scores for Sharks in return to Anaheim
‘It’s about the hockey now, not the intimidation’

Fighting to Make an Impression

Towards the end of every season, teams finding themselves out of the playoff race are keen on bringing up a handful of players from the minor leagues and giving them a shot with the big club. The same can be said for playoff-bound teams that are looking to add depth or are experiencing injury problems late in the year.

Regardless of the situation, the aforementioned players are simply looking to make an impression. Last night’s game between the Flames and Leafs provided the perfect example.

In the first period, Phil Oreskovic dropped the gloves with a seasoned heavyweight in Andre Roy and ended up holding his own in a short scrap. They were followed by Warren Peters and Ben Ondrus, both established minor league players looking to finally get over the hump and secure a spot on an NHL roster. The two went toe-to-toe in a spirited bout in the second frame.

Other fights on Saturday saw Colton Orr and Riley Cote clash for the fourth time in the past two seasons in Rangers-Flyers (the two teams will play the second half of a home-and-home later today) and Raitis Ivanans pick a fight with Brad Staubitz after a hit on Jack Johnson in Kings-Sharks.

Videos added

Raitis Ivanans vs Brad Staubitz Mar 14, 2009
Chris Stewart vs Theo Peckham Mar 14, 2009
Warren Peters vs Ben Ondrus Mar 14, 2009
Andre Roy vs Phil Oreskovic Mar 14, 2009
Evgeny Artyukhin vs Ville Peltonen Mar 14, 2009
Colton Orr vs Riley Cote Mar 14, 2009
Chris Neil vs Milan Lucic Mar 12, 2009
Jared Boll vs Matt Walker Mar 13, 2009
Brandon Sugden vs Hans Benson Mar 7, 2009

Some reads

Them’s fightin’ words
N.H.L.’s Anti-Fighting Moves Criticized as Cosmetic
Brodeur joins Roy with 551st win | Roy glad to be there for Brodeur’s big night
Fighting is a foundation of hockey
Old nemesis Hunter coaches Isles’ possible No. 1
Laperriere relishes warrior role | One of the good guys
Funny thing about Chicago Blackhawk Kris Versteeg …
Moen admits playing former team ‘strange”