Fistic February

Things have been busy in the NHL since Thursday night. Division rivalries like Flames–Oilers and Flyers–Rangers don’t hurt. Good thing they’re taking two of those games off of the schedule next season.

After the Rangers and Flyers threw down Saturday afternoon, the Battle of Alberta started up all over again Saturday night.

Some expected names showed up on the dance card like Matt Greene and Eric Godard, but rivalries like this are when Ladislav Smid picks up a major.

After another four fights, the Flames upped their total to 50 FMs on the season, tying them for the league lead with the Flyers. George Parros, who took on Aaron Downey Sunday afternoon, bumped up the Ducks, the league leaders throughout much of the season, to 49.

Another note from Saturday night: Jody Shelley got into his first fight with the Sharks, against a familiar foe, Darcy Hordichuk, of the Predators.

Zednik in stable condition

Richard Zednik was sent to the hospital after teammate Olli Jokinen‘s skate slashed Zednik’s neck after the two fell to the ice together.

Jokinen said it made him “feel sick” knowing it was his skate that caused the deep slash.
“Blood was kind of flying out of his throat,” he said. “I was right there. At first I didn’t realize it was my skate because I fell down. I saw the replay on the TV and it was, you know, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s very scary.”
Play resumed after a 15-minute delay that saw crews scrape blood off the ice and then resurface it. Zednik received a standing ovation after it was announced he was in stable condition.

Weller hit revives instigator discussion

Thursday night Craig Weller boarded Rick Nash, then punched OK Tollefsen. Tollefsen said it was the instigator rule that influenced him to skate towards Weller chin out and gloves on.

“I hate that stupid rule,” said Tollefsen, who suffered a concussion and Friday night missed a 2-1 overtime loss in San Jose.
Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said his young defenseman should not go into another confrontation leading with his chin and fretting over a rule that he, too, has no use for.
“I don’t like it, I never have,” Hitchcock said.

Videos added

Adam Burish vs Byron Ritchie Feb 10, 2008
George Parros vs Aaron Downey Feb 10, 2008
Steve Downie vs Jarkko Ruutu Feb 10, 2008
Darcy Hordichuk vs Jody Shelley Feb 9, 2008
Cody McLeod vs Nathan McIver Feb 9, 2008
Cody McCormick vs Luc Bourdon Feb 9, 2008
Ian Laperriere vs Nathan McIver Feb 9, 2008
Dustin Penner vs Robyn Regehr Feb 9, 2008
Matt Greene vs Eric Godard Feb 9, 2008
Ladislav Smid vs Matt Lombardi Feb 9, 2008
Ethan Moreau vs Dion Phaneuf Feb 9, 2008
Raitis Ivanans vs Georges Laraque Feb 9, 2008
Brandon Dubinsky vs Mike Richards Feb 9, 2008
Fedor Tyutin vs Steve Downie Feb 9, 2008
Ryan Hollweg vs Jim Dowd Feb 9, 2008
Colton Orr vs Riley Cote Feb 9, 2008
Jason Chimera vs Craig Rivet Feb 8, 2008
Wade Brookbank vs John Erskine Feb 8, 2008
Scott Walker vs Matt Bradley Feb 8, 2008