Ducks Tie It Up
The Ducks didn’t let a second period comeback by the Wings get in their way last night. The former mighty ones scored two in the third to tie up the series. Ryan Getzlaf played the role of the hero with the game-winning goal. The next game is Sunday afternoon in Detroit.
Videos added
Cam Russell vs Chris Simon Nov 22, 1995
Bob Probert vs Brent Severyn Oct 13, 1998
Mick Vukota vs Rob Ray Jan 8, 1993
Bill Huard vs Steve Leach Feb 2, 1995
Dennis Vial vs Brent Hughes Feb 2, 1995
Today’s game
None. The next game is Sabres-Sens, Saturday afternoon.
More awards
The Hockey News published their own 2006-07 awards. Here’s an award out of our own playbook:
JOHN FERGUSON AWARD (TOUGHEST PLAYER): BRENDAN WITT
After abandoning his long, shaggy hair in favor of cutting it right down to the wood this season, Brendan Witt was back in the playoffs with the long, scraggly locks that made him look more like a professional wrestler than a hockey player.
Either way, the New York Islanders defenseman is one scary-looking dude. Throw in the black eye he got at the end of the season and the 14 tattoos that cover various parts of his 6-foot-2, 220-pound body and you have one intimidating fellow.
And he’s definitely no fun to play against. As the inaugural recipient of the John Ferguson Tough Guy Who Can Play Award, Witt has earned every bit of his recognition. The hard way. He plays against all the top lines as one of the Islanders’ shut-down guys – just ask Leafs captain Mats Sundin how much fun he had battling Witt this season – and regularly puts his body on the line for his team.
As the accompanying graphic points out, nobody in the league had a higher combined total of hits, blocked shots and penalty minutes this season. Witt can play it rough and tough – and he can flat-out play, too, as he shone defensively all season for the Isles.
He also got into six fights in 2006-07 and according to the website hockeyfights.com, lost all six of them. We think that makes him even tougher, since he’s not afraid to drop his gloves despite knowing there’s a good chance he’s going to lose.
I have no problem recognizing Brendan Witt‘s tough play or the heart in any player. That’s an award all on its own there. I’m not sure I’d give an award named after John Ferguson to Witt, but to each his own. To clarify, Witt had five, not six, fighting majors last season, but we forgive for the mention. The Cam Neely award going to Kevin Bieksa was a good pick. Check them all out if you haven’t already.
If you’re looking to have your own say, be sure to vote on the 2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards. We recently added all the standard NHL awards to the list.
Some reads
Use Mair to Fire Up Sabres
Laraque still just a kid at heart
