Merry Christmas Lowell fans! Uber Pussy, and underachiever without Eric Stall and Chuck Kobasew, Colin Forbes has been shipped back to Washington for Stephen Peat. Yeah, you read that right. The Lowell Lockmonsters have a true heavyweight for the first time since Trevor Gillies wore a Monsters uniform a few years back. I can only hope that the hand problems that have plagued Peat for much of his career are behind him, and he can crack some skulls for the fight starved Lowell fans. I am not sure if he’ll dress tonight against Providence. If there are fire works, I will update you all. Merry Christmas!

First off, a very Merry Christmas to all! I am hoping Santa is nice to you all.

I was looking over transactions the other day, when I saw Brad Norton had signed with Binghamton in the AHL. The very next day he had a fight. It reminded me of the time that I fought him in a Men’s League. Well, more accurately, he used my face as a punching bag in a Men’s League.

I don’t remember exactly when it was, but it was the early ’90’s. I was playing for some horrible team, and Norton was playing for the best team in the league. They were killing us. I think it was 256-1. Seriously, it was that bad. Near the middle of the third period, I’m trying to skate my lane, and let time run off the clock. No more, no less. One of my guys got buried from behind down low in the corner. It was a wicked cheap shot, and was totally uncalled for. The guy that got hit, jumped up, and got the gloves off. That’s where it all started. Next thing you know, everyone is in on it, sticks down, gloves off. I was at the top of the face-off circle, when I see this guy trying to get into the fray. Now, I didn’t exactly see who it was, and I didn’t care. I dropped my gloves, and grabbed him. He turns around and his gloves come off. It is at this point I said, and I think it was out loud, "Oh shit, I got the wrong fucking guy!" I was committed so I couldn’t stop there. I tried to get my hands up, but Brad’s reach did me in. He starts unloading on me with a series of rights that felt like cannon balls. I lost track after 5 shots to the noggin. Apparently, I can take a punch, because I was still on my feet. After about 5 or 6 bombs from Norton, I start saying "Brad, Brad, Brad! Don’t you think you’ve had enough!?" He and I knew each other a little bit from playing against each other as kids. He let me go, and I went to the ice. He was standing over me laughing, and I was trying to not look hurt. I would hazard to say, it may have been the most one sided fight in history. So, to all those guys in the AHL, watch out for this kid’s right. Merry Christmas all!

In my opinion, the top three hockey players of all time looks like this.

1. Bobby Orr

2. Gordie Howe

3. Wayne Gretzky

It was widely reported all weekend when 99 took a leave of absence from his coaching duties with Phoenix to attend to his mother. I had no idea, the situation was as grave. Mrs. Gretzky died today from lung cancer. Love or hate Gretzky, the pain of losing a parent, can only be matched by losing a child. The thoughts and prayers of the entire hockey world will be with the Gretzkys this holiday season.

First things first. Where the heck is everybody? Chris? Hammer? Has the New NHL put you guys to sleep or what? We have a damn blog to run here. I know you’ve expressed disdain and disgust for the Bruins thus far, but there’s a few other teams, eh? I can’t really talk, and I won’t make lame excuses. Let’s get the momentum going, boys. This is embarassing.

I’ve recently wondered if we picked the wrong year to start a site dedicated to hockey enforcers. If it weren’t for bad timing, I’d have no timing at all, it seems. It would appear that Todd Simpson of the Blackhawks is having similar inklings:

"Hockey players used to be warriors. Now you don’t have to be a warrior.”

What, praytell, do you have to be then? A gazelle? A giraffe on skates? Perhaps past-sell-date Olympic speed skaters will have a new lease on life in the NHL. I’ll tell you though, I’m not too worried. Every NHL and AHL game I’ve been to this year has had a dust up of some sort. It’s not like the boys are playing with bow ties and teacups. I went to the BC/BU contest 2 weeks ago, and even there I saw plenty of hooking and slashing. There’s no reason to panic, and I won’t be lining up for Red Sox Tickets anytime soon.

I am hearing from very reliable sources, that Lowell Lockmonster Defenseman, Mitch Love, is trying to get clearance from the Colorado Avalanche to have season ending hip surgery. From what I am hearing, they want to do the surgery as early as this week. If this is true, Love will be out for the season, but could possibly return for the playoffs. Although, the way Lowell is playing right now, I bet they are out of the playoffs come March.

I wonder if it is the pain in his hip that has caused his fight numbers to come way down. I watched him turn down Trevor Gillies and Kip Brennan last night on a couple of occasions. He’s probably better off not fighting either one of those AHL Heavies, but in the situations when he was asked, I feel he should have dropped em. I know Love has turned down Gillies before. Maybe he just wants no part of him, bad hip or no. Anyway, as I get more news, I’ll keep you posted.

While eating lunch today, I saw this. After almost choking, I started racking my brain on why in the world anyone is willing to give Billy Tibbetts another chance. This guy has been a cancer almost everywhere he has been. Billy is the classic example of million dollar talent, but a five cent head. Don’t get me wrong, Tibbetts is a hell of a talented hockey player, but in my mind, I think he’s got a track record too long to warrant taking up a roster spot on any other team with the exception of the San Quentin intramural Team. Usually I root for the under dog, but not in this case. Beware Wolves, this will not end well.

This is what I was talking about in an earlier post. Campbell’s reason for not fining Doan and Gretzky for their incident is because Doan really isn’t considered a fighter, and Gretz didn’t put him out there to fight anyone. I don’t exactly consider Zdeno Chara a fighter either. From what I understand, the game itself was pretty ugly the whole way. Chara probably took matters into his own hands. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, you can’t have a "rule" like this, and not apply it equally. I would appeal this to the league office if I were Chara, or Murray. It sure looks like the "Great One" is getting special treatment eh? Just like his playing days.

I just read this. I really don’t know what to say. I like Joe Thornton, and he should be the prototypical Bruin. I guess it just never panned out for either side. Good luck in San Jose Joe.