Cote and MacIntyre Reunite in Philly

Steve MacIntyre has a story that Riley Cote can relate to. After the two spent the majority of the 1999-00 season playing together with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, both went undrafted and were forced to work their way up through a variety of minor leagues before each getting their shot at making an NHL team; MacIntyre was albeit the more-traveled player.

Cote eventually found a home inside the Flyers organization and after a revolution of sorts in Philadelphia, found himself as the team’s main tough guy last season. His efforts earned him a three-year contract over the summer.

MacIntyre meanwhile sharpened his skills in the AHL last year, quickly cementing himself as the league’s most feared fighter. His reputation earned him a deal with the Panthers in the offseason but a plethora of forwards down South saw “Mac” placed on waivers before being snapped up by the Oilers, who have welcomed him with open arms after embracing a team toughness mindset that harkens back to the Edmonton dynasty of the 80’s.

So when Cote and MacIntyre dropped the gloves during the second period of yesterday afternoon’s Oilers-Flyers game, it hardly came as a surprise. According to MacIntyre, it was just a meeting between two guys, and old acquaintances, wanting to do their jobs.

“He [Cote] was trying to get his team fired up and he was trying to do his job,” MacIntyre said in a post-fight game interview with Oilers.com. “You gotta respect a guy for trying to do that. I was trying to keep it on our side… you know it’s a game of momentum and I was trying to keep it on our side and just roll with the punches.”

More Sunday action

A pair of fights took place in a rather heated Pacific Division game between the Flames and Ducks. Brandon Prust renewed his rivalry with Nathan McIver in the first two minutes of the game and Ryan Carter tried his hand against gritty veteran Jim Vandermeer later on in the first period.

Darren McCarty found himself in the Wings’ lineup once again and didn’t waste any time making his presence known against the Canucks as he battled Mike Brown early on in a 3-2 Detroit victory out West.

Videos added

Darren McCarty vs Mike Brown Nov 2, 2008
Jim Vandermeer vs Ryan Carter Nov 2, 2008
Brandon Prust vs Nathan McIver Nov 2, 2008
Steve MacIntyre vs Riley Cote Nov 2, 2008

Some reads

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Rule change makes penalty kill tougher for Wings
What the heck is going on with surprising Leafs, wacky NHL?
A little father-son bonding
Throw haymakers, not hay
Hordichuk more than happy to be in Vancouver