A Rivalry Renewed

A storied rivalry that has been relatively tame in recent years may have picked up some steam this evening as the Habs handled the Leafs in a physical affair Thursday night in Montreal.

After a line brawl nearly broke out at the end of the first period, Tom Kostopoulos and Jamal Mayers dropped the gloves midway through the second, with Brad May and Francis Bouillon following suit seconds later. Another scrum during the game’s final minutes saw Mikhail Grabovski attempt to go through multiple officials to get at Sergei Kostitsyn and fans wanting more. The two teams meet again on February 7th.

The heated game up north slightly overshadowed Thursday’s best fight, which featured Chris Neil and Shawn Thornton go back and forth in an entertaining toe-to-toe scrap. Thrashers–Devils took honors for most active game as the two teams produced three fights, including Eric Boulton and Michael Rupp going on two separate occasions. A spirited scrap between Erik Reitz and Arron Asham rounded out the night’s action.

Videos added

Chris Neil vs Shawn Thornton Jan 8, 2009
Eric Boulton vs Michael Rupp Jan 8, 2009
Eric Boulton vs Michael Rupp Jan 8, 2009
Chris Thorburn vs David Clarkson Jan 8, 2009
Erik Reitz vs Arron Asham Jan 8, 2009

The Leafs-Habs clips should be added later today.

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