Laraque Returns

Georges Laraque returned to action Friday night, but it was Saturday, against the rival Leafs that Big Georges reminded the league why the Habs signed him over the summer to a three-year deal. Early in the first period Laraque outgamed veteran Brad May to the delight of the home crowd. That win was the only one the Canadiens would get that night, as the Leafs won the game 5-2. The Belarussian conflict between Mikhail Grabovski and the Kostitsyn brothers never came to a head.

Saturday was a busy day in the NHL. Eleven fights in twelve games, a bit of a bump in what’s been a slow week or so.

There are only two games tonight. The Hudson River Rivalry always has some potential for a spark and is the national game on Versus. A Habs-Flames matchup out in Calgary will entertain the Canadian crowd.

Boogaard fights the anti-fighting

Talking to reporters in the Twin Cities about fighting in the NHL and NHLPA head Paul Kelly’s recent comments about fighting restrictions and getting rid of the enforcer, Derek Boogaard was quite clear on his stance:

“It bothers me a lot,” he said Thursday, adding Kelly’s comments are “kind of comical. He should try and do it then and see how the sales for everything goes. It’s goal scorers and the fighters who really push and drive the revenues, I think. I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but I mean [Marian Gaborik’s] jersey is No. 1 [in Wild sales] and I’m up there, too. I’m pretty sure it’s like that for every other team.”

Kelly called Boogaard to explain his comments, and said they were taken out of context.

Videos added

Riley Cote vs Eric Boulton Feb 8, 2009
Aaron Rome vs Ben Ondrus Feb 7, 2009
Brandon Sutter vs Jeff Hoggan Feb 7, 2009
Tim Gleason vs Daniel Carcillo Feb 7, 2009
Ian Laperriere vs B.J. Crombeen Feb 7, 2009
Bill Guerin vs Ryan Malone Feb 7, 2009
Tim Jackman vs Matt Smaby Feb 7, 2009
Jody Shelley vs Jared Boll Feb 7, 2009
Ryane Clowe vs Derek Dorsett Feb 7, 2009
Derek Armstrong vs Jamie Langenbrunner Feb 7, 2009
Raitis Ivanans vs Michael Rupp Feb 7, 2009
Brad May vs Georges Laraque Feb 7, 2009
George Parros vs Andre Roy Feb 7, 2009
Danny Bois vs Drew Larman Feb 7, 2009