Fighting Looch

Milan Lucic takes on Mark Bell. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Kevin Paul Dupont had a great piece in the Boston Globe yesterday about hockey, fighting, and new Boston fan fave Milan Lucic.

Some highlights:

Just as it’s your right not to like fighting, especially in hockey, it’s my right to embrace it, even get worked up over it, especially when it’s a really good hockey fight, packed with emotion, suspense, and purpose. All these years later, I still get a hoot out of the memory of John Wensink gallantly bowing in front of the North Stars bench, inviting any and all to pair up in a bare-knuckled waltz.

...snip…

“I’m on YouTube all the time,” said the 19-year-old Lucic, who has had 13 fights this season, including yesterday’s bout against Washington’s Matt Bradley five seconds into the game. “I like hockeyfights.com, too. You know, just checking out guys, their styles. For me, hey, it’s entertainment. I like to watch. And I’ll be the first to say I’m not the only one on this team who watches.”

We like you too Looch.

Any article about the Bruin’s next powerforward wouldn’t be complete without a quote from Cam Neely:

“He’s a bigger kid than I was,” said Neely, who entered the league at around 6-1, 190. “Looch is, what, 6-4, 220? I don’t think I hit 220 until I was around my mid-20s. Could’ve been close. What do you think, could he have handled the left hand?”

Weekend highlights

- Friday night the Andre Roy-less Lightning were out to prove they could still be team tough, dropping the gloves twice with the Devils.
- Lucic wasted no time on Saturday taking on Matt Bradley.  Less than 10 seconds later Donald Brashear went with Shawn Thornton.
- Barret Jackman, not at all happy with the hit Ryan Kesler threw on him, dropped the gloves.  Even after Kesler threw a couple of punches, Jackman took off his own helmet, getting Kesler to do the same (Kesler wears a visor).  Smart by Jackman, and good for Kesler to oblige.

Avery bck 2 LA?

Lisa Dillman of the LA Times reports on an outing Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi had with season ticket holders.  With the word spreading that Sean Avery has broken off contract talks with the Rangers, I found this tidbit interesting:

The long session teetered toward raucous on the issue of players leaving and playing better, and fans shouted out several names of players. One was the New York Rangers’ Sean Avery.

Lombardi said he got a text message from Avery—“Happy New Year, don’t forget your little buddy”—and thought his assistant GM Ron Hextall was playing a prank on him. Indeed, it really was the provocative Avery, safely ensconced in the Eastern Conference.

Videos added

Ruslan Salei vs Steve Ott Mar 9, 2008
Kurt Sauer vs Trevor Daley Mar 9, 2008
Petteri Nokelainen vs Chris Drury Mar 9, 2008 (x2)
Barret Jackman vs Ryan Kesler Mar 8, 2008
Chris Thorburn vs Steve Montador Mar 8, 2008
Donald Brashear vs Shawn Thornton Mar 8, 2008 (x2)
Matt Bradley vs Milan Lucic Mar 8, 2008 (x2)
Dustin Brown vs Eric Brewer Mar 4, 2008

Some reads

With Wade Belak, the Florida Panthers have more than a fighting chance
Dallas Stars get physical, and it pays off
Flyers’ Cote pulls no punches
Bolts Lose But Escape NHL Cellar
Leafs Notebook: Blake nominated for Masterton Trophy
Penguins Q&A with Dave Molinari