Have a Major

Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora picked up their first fighting majors last night.  Never mind that punches sans gloves never happened, the gloved shots seemed to be enough to warrant FMs.  Gloves were shed, but there was only some hugging and dancing before the Czech and Slovak were easily split apart by the linesmen.  Velvety, I guess.

Later in that Isles-Pens game Darryl Sydor took on Tim Jackman.  Sydor, in his second fight since the pre-lockout 2003-04 season, took a shot or two from the bigger Jackman.

There was one other fight, BJ Crombeen taking on Kyle McLaren after McLaren laid-out Toby Petersen deep in the Sharks‘ zone.

I’ll see your McKenzie and raise you a Spector

The fight-filled QMJHL game that made it across media outlets, thanks to Patrick Roy‘s son Jonathan being involved, has sparked the latest “why is fighting still there?” debate.

Bob McKenzie is a good NHL analyst to have.  He’s a staple come trade deadline day, and free agent signing day.  His latest blog entry is that he’s ambivalent about fighting in hockey and doesn’t care whether or not it’s tolerated.  My favorite not-really-fighting-related part:

But if it were announced tomorrow that fighting in any league, including the NHL or Major Junior hockey, would be punishable by automatic ejection, I wouldn’t stop watching it, I wouldn’t stop buying a ticket. I wouldn’t wring my hands and say, woe is me.

Bob McKenize of TSN buys hockey tickets?  Seriously?  Are we supposed to believe that?

I definitely got a laugh from that one.

Mark Spector of the National Post had a different view on the “controversy”:

I love the game and have covered the league for nearly 20 years. But sports writers do not get the right to call themselves fans, because my press pass gets me in for free. I make no tangible investment in the game.

...

The Canadian hockey fan likes fighting in the NHL—period. This isn’t about junior hockey. It’s about the NHL, a league that has never been healthier in Canada than it is today.

So where is the debate?

NHL players don’t want to ban fighting. NHL management does not want to ban fighting. NHL fans express nightly that they like a good tussle.

The debate is in the only place it’s ever been, the media.

McCarty to play tonight

Ansar Khan is reporting that Darren McCarty should be in the Wings lineup tonight against the Blues:

“He told me he’s ready to go. I expect to see him in the lineup,” Holland said. “I’m excited for him. I like Darren, he’s worked very hard to get himself in this position. I’m hopeful he can help us.”

Philly talk

Thanks to Steve in the Philly area for letting me know about Riley Cote and Kidd Chris on the Kidd Chris Show talking about hockey, fights, and this website.  I don’t have a clip of it, but if anyone out there does, give me a shout.

Videos added

B.J. Crombeen vs Kyle McLaren Mar 27, 2008
Tim Jackman vs Darryl Sydor Mar 27, 2008
Miroslav Satan vs Petr Sykora Mar 27, 2008
Jeff Cowan vs Ian Laperriere Mar 26, 2008
Zack Stortini vs Derek Boogaard Mar 26, 2008
Brent Seabrook vs Aaron Rome Mar 26, 2008

Some reads

Fedoruk a believer in tough-guy role
Staals put brotherly love aside to fight for cup
Seventh heaven with Lucic
Work along boards leads to goal
Ex-Leaf fought ‘didn’t get shot’
Sharks might have score to settle with Ducks
Avery hated by fans, but can get the job done
The Rangers Go 7 for 7 Against the Devils
Goalie Rivalry Gets ‘Weird’