And We’re Back!

Hockey wasn't gone, as fans of juniors, minors and other leagues will tell you. But to many, the NHL is hockey; and with the NHL's return: hockey is back^*.

The NHL threw 13 games at us, the most we'll see on any one day this season (there are two more days that have 13 games). With a lot of games and all intraconference match-ups, many divisional, things started off with a bang.

The first fight of the season belongs to Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Brown and new Montreal Canadien Brandon Prust. A decent tilt that sets the stage between the rival teams for the rest of the shortened season. The Leafs won the game in Montreal 2-1. Once-banished Colton Orr played 9 shifts for the Leafs.

The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins game featured a pair of bouts only a few seconds apart. Shawn Thornton was effective against Mike Rupp before Stu Bickel took on Gregory Campbell. The Rangers had a combined listed advantage of eight inches, but it looked more along the lines of a foot.