Downey, Janssen Provide Memorable Meeting

After Andreas Lilja was dropped and given a concussion courtesy of Shea Weber over the weekend, the Red Wings opted to recall Aaron Downey from Grand Rapids of the AHL Monday afternoon in order to add the toughness that the team had been lacking ever since Darren McCarty was forced to undergo surgery earlier this season.

Downey’s stay up with the big club may only be temporary, but he has done his best to earn a permanent spot on the roster so far. On Tuesday night, Downey dropped the gloves with Blues tough guy Cam Janssen, and the two produced an easy “Fight of the Year” candidate.

Numerous punches were thrown by both fighters in a marathon bout, and even though Janssen may have come away with the decision, Downey’s Wings went on to win the game 5-0.

In other action last night, Weber fought once again, this time taking on Jason Strudwick in another good fight in Oilers–Predators, and Krys Barch and Brad Staubitz clashed for the first time since the minors in Stars–Sharks. Eric Godard and David Koci also exchanged blows in a heavyweight bout in Pens–Bolts, and Jason Spezza went after Dion Phaneuf for a questionable hit on Dany Heatley in Flames–Sens. A total of six fights occurred.

Deadline Day 2009

As usual, we will be covering this year’s trade deadline. You can find a timeline of tomorrow’s events including real-time trade announcements and a summary of all the moves made here. Forum threads will be made for every deal in our Player Movement & Rumors section.

Giveaway winner announced

Congrats to Adam from MN. He was the winner of our National Hockey Card Day Giveaway.

Videos added

Krys Barch vs Brad Staubitz Mar 3, 2009
Aaron Downey vs Cam Janssen Mar 3, 2009
Jason Strudwick vs Shea Weber Mar 3, 2009
Eric Godard vs David Koci Mar 3, 2009
Dion Phaneuf vs Jason Spezza Mar 3, 2009
Matt Greene vs Mike Commodore Mar 3, 2009
Sandy McCarthy vs Donald Brashear Jan 12, 2002

Some reads

NHL staring defeat in the face thanks to loonie’s lapse
Getting To Know: James Neal
Big Bitz is Boston’s latest big hit
Ovechkin laughs off Cherry’s on-air criticism
A warning to deadline-crazed NHL
NHLers rarely enjoy deadline buzz
Bouwmeester paying no heed to trade talk
Ducks’ Morrison hoping for another opportunity