Here Comes Cote

Riley Cote has a crew that’s been waiting for him to make his “real” NHL debut and it happened last night.  In his third NHL game, Cote got into his first fight.  It was a familiar opponent in Cam Janssen.

The two have met up four other times, including once in NHL unis this past preseason.

There was some chatter leading up to the game, so the fight didn’t come as much of a surprise.  Cote’s weekend isn’t done just yet.  Tomorrow the Flyers play the Rangers.  The last time these two teams met up, Fedoruk vs Orr happened.

Cote already has his sights set on Orr:

Although even Fedoruk suggests the fight was simply the product of some liberties he took with Jaromir Jagr on Feb. 17 and the slate should be clean, Cote doesn’t quite see it that way.

“I’m obviously thinking about it in the back of my mind,” he said. “I know my role. I’ve played two games, and I still haven’t gotten in a fight. I’m still trying to make a name for myself.

“It kind of works out hand-in-hand. It’s a team issue, that’s the biggest thing. I have two incentives. It’s going to be a big night for me. I’m aware of what happened. It’s something that needs to be addressed. You don’t want to see anybody go down like that, especially a teammate and friend. I’m going to do my best.”

So if you haven’t figured out which game you’re watching tonight, there you go.  Cote already has a ton of fans from his last few years in Philly, but he has the potential to have the next PJ Stock-like cult following if he finishes this season strong and makes the big club in the fall.

Josh Gratton and Doug Murray also dropped the gloves last night and had themselves a decent-length scrap.

I should have a clip of Shane O’Brien and David Tanabe tomorrow.

Clips added:

Riley Cote vs Cam Janssen Mar 30, 2007
Josh Gratton vs Doug Murray Mar 30, 2007

Some reads:

Fighting for Fans
Fedoruk reignites fight debate