Ducks Always Ready

The Ducks dropped the gloves twice with the Red Wings last night to tie the Flyers for the lead in team fighting majors.

With Ducks FM leader George Parros’ knee keeping him out of the lineup, the team toughness factor came into play with All-Star Chris Pronger taking on Daniel Cleary and Sean O’Donnell dropping the gloves with Aaron Downey.

Downey, the only tough guy to stick around this far into the season in Detroit in years, has helped the Wings almost double their FM total from last season already.

How to fight like a hockey player

AJC‘s Michael Benzie got a lesson from former NHLer Scott Pearson on how to drop the gloves and throw some punches on skates. Kinda.

Hat tip to Alanah at KK.

Big night

The last night of games before the All-Star break is a big one.  13 games scheduled, including Pens-Flyers, a rematch highlighted by the Post-Gazette.

Videos added

Aaron Downey vs Sean O’Donnell Jan 23, 2008
Daniel Cleary vs Chris Pronger Jan 23, 2008
David Clarkson vs Steve Downie Jan 22, 2008
Michael Rupp vs Riley Cote Jan 22, 2008
Jared Boll vs Krys Barch Jan 22, 2008
Shane Hnidy vs Tom Kostopoulos Jan 22, 2008
Chuck Kobasew vs Sergei Kostitsyn Jan 22, 2008

Some reads

Fear helps feed Devils’ dominance of Flyers
Leetch’s No. 2 to Assume a Lofty Perch at the Garden
Top 10 Brian Leetch moments
Pens’ nice surprises
Avs’ Sauer still having dizziness
Deal pleases Bryzgalov, Yotes