Weekend Lead-In

One fight last night, the young Tim Gleason taking on grizzled vet, but new Penguin, Gary Roberts.

Last Night’s Fight:

Gary Roberts vs Tim Gleason Mar 2, 2007

Other fights added:

Reed Low vs P.J. Stock Jan 21, 2002
Dennis Bonvie vs Eric Cairns Feb 26, 2002

Some reads:

Full tilt Boogaard
The dinosaurs of the NHL aren’t dead. The Tough Guy and Enforcer’s Union is still kicking. Or at least punching
Boogaard makes big impact
Chelios goes from enemy to friend with Bertuzzi
It’s time for the NHL to arrest ‘policemen’
Headhunters hurting game
Leafs’ Kaberle hurt
Devils fall after Cam’s brutal hit

Some irony for you:

So, fighting is the biggest reason the NHL hasn’t caught on in the United States? You could have fooled Detroit coach Mike Babcock: “I’m always hearing how fighting shouldn’t be a part of the game,” he said. “But everyone stands up and cheers about it.”

I’ll all for fight-related quotes, especially of the positive variety, but it doesn’t ring the same way when it comes out of Detroit.

Quick update:

Also added fights from Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders Apr 28, 2002:
Darcy Tucker vs Shawn Bates Apr 28, 2002
Shayne Corson vs Eric Cairns Apr 28, 2002
Tie Domi vs Jim Cummins Apr 28, 2002

The first two are the same clip, which include Tucker in the penalty box getting to know the Coliseum fans a bit better. Leafs-Isles ‘02 is one of the more recent playoff series I still hear people talk about. It was a hard-fought series going all seven games with the home team winning every game. The Leafs had the home advantage and took the series. They went on to also go seven against the Sens, and then the Hurricanes. Worn-down, they lost game seven in OT to the Canes.