Datsyuk Goes Gordie

Corey Perry fights Pavel Datsyuk. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Pavel Datsyuk earned a Gordie Howe Hat Trick last night in the Red Wings 4-0 win over the Ducks.

Datsyuk, whose one and only fight was against Scott Niedermayer in the 2009 playoffs, handled himself just fine against a bigger Corey Perry.

Sheldon Brookbank went after Brad Stuart with a few minutes left in the game and the two dropped the gloves behind the Wings’ net.

The Wings only had two games last season with more than one fight (each had two fights) and none in 2008-09.

Elsewhere

The European fans got to see some fisticuffs live. Eric Nystrom took on Tom Kostopoulos in the early game in Helsinki.

The NHL fans in Stockholm caught a pair of bouts. Frazer McLaren and Jared Boll haad a spririted scrap midway through the first period and Ryane Clowe and Mike Commodore fought halfway through the second.

Lappy set to retire

Something we’ll give more attention to soon, but I had to make mention here of Ian Laperriere and his probable retirement:

Laperriere told the Courier-Post on Wednesday that two doctors advised him to retire because of post-concussion symptoms.
The Flyers have not filed retirement papers with the NHL but are expected to offer Laperriere a position with the club.
“If this is it, I had a hell of a run,” Laperriere said. “I played a long time and played a lot of games and met a lot of nice people . . . It is what it is and I wouldn’t change anything.”

A great run, indeed. Hockey or not, may his symptoms disappear quickly.