An Impressive First for Fritz

Mitch Fritz was able to find an opponent for his first NHL regular season fight last night in his second appearance with the Islanders this season, and he wasted no time in going up against the cream of the crop in Georges Laraque. Fritz used the reach generated from his 6’8” frame to keep Laraque at bay for the majority of their bout, which turned out to be an impressive showing for the rookie.

Things got testy in the third period of last night’s Stars–Bruins game courtesy of Dallas’ resident agitators. Steve Ott was drilled by an Andrew Ference open-ice hit in retaliation for some of Ott’s actions earlier in the game. Sean Avery challenged Ference in response and the two had a quick tussle. Five minutes later the heavyweights dropped the gloves with Krys Barch going up against Shawn Thornton in an entertaining matchup. Shortly after that, Marc Savard jumped on Avery after a questionable hit on Milan Lucic while Shane Hnidy got the better of Matt Niskanen away from the pile.

A total of seven fights occurred in Saturday night’s scheduled contests.

Videos added

Krys Barch vs Shawn Thornton Nov 1, 2008
Matt Niskanen vs Shane Hnidy Nov 1, 2008
Sean Avery vs Andrew Ference Nov 1, 2008
Garnet Exelby vs Sheldon Brookbank Nov 1, 2008
Georges Laraque vs Mitch Fritz Nov 1, 2008
Colin Fraser vs Ole-Kristian Tollefsen Nov 1, 2008
Ethan Moreau vs Tuomo Ruutu Nov 1, 2008

Some reads

Avery, Ott sparked fireworks
Pro hockey, pro football under one roof
Sutter wants to go back to the old school
NHL takes heat for hits to head
Flyers displaying that fightin’ spirit
Childhood friends now facing off as NHL teens
NHL shootouts here to stay