Crosby Goes Gordie Howe

A goal, an assist, and a fight tonight for Sidney Crosby. Yes, a fight.  I wouldn’t kid about The Kid.

Crosby dropped the gloves with Andrew Ference in the second period of Pittsburgh’s 5-4 shootout win over Boston this evening.

Not only was it Crosby’s first fight in the NHL, it was his first fight ever. He went 121 games in the QMJHL without shedding the mitts. Crosby faired quite well too. I guess Georges Laraque is giving lessons these days.

Speaking of Laraque, he had a quick scrap with Zdeno Chara in tonight’s game as well.

The entire game was an entertaining one.

Do you know the melee in San Jose?

What a mess in the third period of another great game last night.

With the way the fighting majors were handed out, the matchups were entered like this:
Nick Boynton vs Patrick Marleau
Joel Perrault vs Craig Rivet (no FM)
Keith Yandle (no FM) vs Steve Bernier
Daniel Carcillo vs Jeremy Roenick (no FM)

I expect the game summary/boxscore may be adjusted, and if necessary I’ll change the log at that point.  Because of this, you may want to hold off on voting.

Simon’s Chief Wants Apology

The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is asking NHL vice-president Colin Campbell to apologize for his incorrect comments concerning Chris Simon having a drug and alcohol abuse problem. Simon is a member of the tribe.

Campbell mistakenly stated that Simon was scheduled to receive counseling from “drug and alcohol doctors” associated with the league:

During a conference call Wednesday, Campbell said he hoped the “the actual help (Simon’s) going to get and counseling he’s going to get from the drug and the alcohol doctors” would help Simon “deal with the problem he has.”

A league spokesman said Campbell was referring to the league and union’s jointly administered substance abuse and behavioral health program, which is providing Simon

Avery Could Return on Sunday

Sean Avery has a possibility of being medically cleared for the New York Rangers’ scheduled game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday according to the New York Daily News:

As for Sean Avery, Renney said he had been told that Avery could be medically cleared to play Sunday vs. Ottawa but that the coach would have to decide whether that was too soon. Avery has been practicing fully for a week as he recovers from Nov. 29 arthroscopic wrist surgery.

Bosse Loss to Larenas Under Review

LNAH enforcer Steve Bosse‘s recent loss to Icho Larenas at TKO 31: Young Guns is currently being reviewed by the Quebec Athletic Commission to see whether or not Larenas verbally submitted during the contest.

Larenas suffered an unintentional poke in the eye by Bosse during the second round of the bout. Referee Yves Lavigne stopped the bout and allowed the ringside physician to take a look at Larenas. He apparently told Lavigne that he was unable to see and Lavigne ended up giving Larenas a few minutes to recover.

Videos added

Dallas Drake vs Jamal Mayers Dec 20, 2007
Jason Strudwick vs Aaron Voros Dec 20, 2007
Daniel Carcillo vs Jeremy Roenick Dec 20, 2007
Keith Yandle vs Steve Bernier Dec 20, 2007
Joel Perrault vs Craig Rivet Dec 20, 2007
Nick Boynton vs Patrick Marleau Dec 20, 2007
(four above same clip)
Nick Boynton vs Doug Murray Dec 20, 2007
Cody Bass vs Jim Slater Dec 20, 2007
Sidney Crosby vs Andrew Ference Dec 20, 2007
Georges Laraque vs Zdeno Chara Dec 20, 2007

Some Reads

Ducks tough guy George Parros loses the locks for a good cause
Police don’t rule out new charges against Bertuzzi
Penalties too high for old-style NHL retribution, Campbell says
Samuelsson upset with Brashear’s high hit
Ruutu looks ahead, not back
Two minutes in the box with Patrick Kane

Late night update: David here (you’ll notice John’s the author on this post).  Just noting that I added the Phx-SJ segment, the vid list and a couple of more reads.