Hossa Ends Wings’ Fight Drought

If someone was going to break the Red Wings’ fighting drought, you wouldn’t expect it to be Marian Hossa. However Detroit’s biggest offseason acquisition did just that when he exchanged punches with Predators defenseman Ryan Suter last night.

It was the first fight that the Wings had been involved in since Andreas Lilja took on Jared Boll on November 28. That’s over 30 games ago. The fans at the Joe were so excited that they rose to their feet at the sight of Dan Hamhuis and Johan Franzen staring each other down moments before. The excitement in Mickey Redmond’s voice was evident as well.

Detroit fans aren’t advised to expect this kind of thing more often now, that’s for sure. But I’m sure some will take solace in the fact that Darren McCarty expects to start a conditioning stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins within the next week.

Dorsett Dropped; Isles and Rangers Nearly Brawl

Clean knockdowns in fights don’t seem to be as prevalent this season as in years past, but B.J. Crombeen achieved just that when he blasted Derek Dorsett with a right hand during their scrap in Blues–Jackets. Dorsett was woozy afterwards and fell once while trying to get back to his feet until he was helped off the ice by a linesman.

Also, a near line-brawl erupted during the second period of Isles–Rangers. Erik Reitz took exception to a hard hit along the boards Blake Comeau gave to Dmitri Kalinin and ended up putting a knee-on-knee hit on Sean Bergenheim after chasing him down. Andy Hilbert tackled Reitz and all of the players (goalies excluded) jumped into the fray. Bergenheim caught Petr Prucha in a headlock and the two decided to drop the gloves shortly after, earning the only fighting majors out of the sequence of events.

Mike Brown and Wayne Simmonds took part in a spirited battle during the beginning of Ducks–Kings in Wednesday’s only other fight.

Videos added

Wayne Simmonds vs Mike Brown Feb 18, 2009
Ryan Suter vs Marian Hossa Feb 18, 2009
B.J. Crombeen vs Derek Dorsett Feb 18, 2009
Sean Bergenheim vs Petr Prucha Feb 18, 2009
Tie Domi vs Stu Grimson Feb 22, 1996
Kirk Muller vs Martin Lapointe Feb 22, 1996

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