Heavyweights in Action

The heavyweights were in action last night as Shawn Thornton, Brian McGrattan, Derek Boogaard, Eric Godard, and Colton Orr all decided to throw down…

Thornton and McGrattan fought in the first period of last night’s Bruins-Sens game. The two teams play again tonight.

Boogaard and Godard got it on in the most anticipated matchup of the evening. Boogaard left the game early with the re-opening of a laceration on his hand. However early reports state that Boogaard isn’t expected to miss any time.

Orr took on Michael Rupp in an unusual matchup last night in which Rupp seemed to hold his own for the most part.

Vacation Notice

Just another notice for those that might have missed it. While David is on vacation, I’ll be filling in for him. I’ll be taking care of most of the logs, blogging, and throwing up some videos to the best of my ability. The majority of videos won’t be available until next week however.

Remember if you need help in the forums, feel free to contact myself, Jamie or Bill.

If you have other questions or concerns you can email David. However please be aware there will be a delay in receiving a response.

Avery Returns

Sean Avery returned to the New York Rangers’ lineup last night after missing the last 10 games with a shoulder injury. Avery logged just over 13 minutes of ice time and picked a slashing minor.

However even bigger than Avery’s return is the prospect that he may become friends with Lance Armstrong pretty soon. Check out this tidbit The National Ledger slipped in to a Armstrong-Ashley Olson article:

Sister Mary-Kate’s new squeeze is 27-year-old hockey hottie Sean Avery but that really doesn’t come close to Ashley’s new “old man” (uh - yes he is 36 years old) as he is a true world class athlete.

I guess he’s over Elisha…

Laraque Claims He’s 100%

George Laraque has told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he feels 100% and has fully recovered from a groin injury that had caused him to miss 7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ last 8 games. Laraque played last night against the Islanders and looked just fine.

Back to Normal?

In a recent interview with the Winnipeg Sun, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock stated that players are back to “policing the game the right way.”

The end of time will come before there is consensus on the issue of NHL fighting, and wouldn’t you know it, fighting marginally is up in 2007-08.

There has been an average of 1.09 fights a game, compared to 0.87 at this time last year. With the instigator rule in full force, many fights appear to have roots in retaliation to a suspect hit, high-stick or slash.

“I think there is less of entertainment fighting,” Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. “I hate when two guys fight just because they happen to be the tough guys. If a star gets whacked, there’s an immediate response now. It’s back to policing the sport in the right way.”

Vandenbussche Trial Resumes

The assault trial of Ryan VandenBussche resumed earlier this week after a five-month recess.

VandenBussche is currently being charged with assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and terroristic threats.

A psychologist who testified on Friday is claiming that VandenBussche may not have known what he was doing due to a concussion suffered during a brawl involving his cousin that police were called to:

“Often they have violent outbursts and use foul language, of which the person has no recollection,” Dr. Paul Comper of Toronto, an expert on concussions, told the court. “Emergency personnel (attending accident scenes) frequently talk about combative behaviour. I talk to (the injured) about it and they are embarrassed. It’s out of character.”

Score one for “Nasty”

Former popular LNAH scrapper Jon Mirasty scored a goal last night in only his second game of the season. Mirasty is currently on a 25-game tryout with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. Hopefully the goal will earn Mirasty a longer stay.

Recent Fights Added

Jonathan Bernier vs Robin Richards Oct 23, 2007
Brennan Sonne vs Garet Hunt Oct 20, 2007
Jeff Szwez vs Matt Kassian Oct 30, 2007
Theo Peckham vs Darren Reid Oct 27, 2007
Denis Sicard vs Fraser Filipic Oct 24, 2007
Kris Wiebe vs Gordon Bell Oct 27, 2007
Mat Goody vs Sheldon Wenzel Oct 30, 2007