I’m as frustrated as a person that’s had January 23rd circled on their schedule because Bones is going to be in town, only to find out Bones is out until after the all star break with back spasms. I guess I’ll leave the “I’m as frustrated as” jokes to Larry the Cable Guy. But still, I’m pretty frustrated. Even more so because at about 5 Tweener e-mailed me to let me know Cam Janssen had been sent down for conditioning. There are few things that make me more excited than hearing a tough guy is in town right before I go to the rink. One of the others is me dressed as Little Bo Peep, but that is another blog. Anyway, the night wasn’t a total loss. There was one very scheduled fight between Mark Fraser of Lowell, and a Mohawk wearing Paul Bissonnette. It wasn’t much of a scrap really. Bissonnette landed a few hard rights, and Fraser didn’t do much of anything except get punched in the face. I got to speak to Bissonnette, and he was a very good guy. We talked a bit about the new jerseys, and fighting David Clarkson when he was in Junior. Good guy. Bones was in the house, but I couldn’t track him down to talk to him. I guess I’ll have to go on the road to see the all time AHL penalty minute leader before he skates off into the sunset.

This was a good hockey week for me actually. Thursday found me in the Garden for the Bruins and Islanders tilt. Naturally before I could be found at Halftime Pizza where I bumped into Cato, Mad Dog, Hoddy, and the other guy whose name I always forget. Along with that crew there were 4500 of our closest friends slugging down pizza, and 25oz’s of their favorite brew. I cannot believe how popular the place has become. I was turned onto Halftime last season by Killer. What were great about it were the huge beers, excellent pizza, and the fights on the plasmas. The best part however, was that there weren’t a zillion people in the place, so you could enjoy your pie, brews and fights in relative comfort. Now the place is a fucking zoo. It’s really caught on in a big way. Good for Halftime, bad for you and I. Oh yeah, Bruins won. No fights.

It was hockey week in Acton for me this week, as I got in three live games. I haven’t seen MOL in days, and have been living off beer and rink pizza, but these are the sacrifices one makes to make three games in three nights. One of these days I should write about where to go for good food and drink at all the arenas I have been to. Remind me on that.

The adventure started on Wednesday in Lowell as the Devils took on the Springfield Falcons. I have seen the Falcons a couple of times this season, and they are pretty fun to watch. Robbie Scremp is a great hockey player, and they have Ryan Flinn, who in my opinion is one of the most intimidating looking guys in all of hockey. He just looks mean eh? Apparently, he isn’t mean looking enough for Lowell’s Mark Fraser to want a piece.

Lowell went down 3-0 in a very lackluster start. Fraser had enough and challenged Flinn near the blueline in front of the visiting penalty box. They started out sizing each other up and a little spin cycle action. As they got started, Flinn and Fraser each traded some right hands, and Fraser managed to get the front of Flinn’s jersey up over his face. Sightless, Flinn threw a couple and tried to squirm his head back through the opening so he could see, and try to get Fraser. Fraser didn’t use the advantage of Flinn being sightless as well as I would have liked, but did get a couple in when he had the advantage. When Flinn got his sight back he threw an uppercut that missed by this much, and had it connected, Fraser would have been lights out. Sadly he missed, and that was it. The stripes separated them, and off they went. I call the fight a surprising win for Mark Fraser.

The ending of this game was easily the strangest thing I have ever seen at a hockey game. Evah. Lowell had been down 3-0, but fought their way back to tie the game at 3-3. OT came and went, and they went on to the shootout. With Lowell having a 1-0 advantage and Springfield being down to their last opportunity to force sudden death shootout, Viacheslav Trukhno came in on Frank Doyle with ideas on being the game saver. Well, Doyle looked like he stopped him, as it appeared he put a rebound in the net which is a no no in the shootout. Referee Terry Koharski waived the goal off, but the puck wound up in the back of the net. After conferring with the scorer’s table briefly, he skated over to Lowell’s bench. He must have told them they won because Devil players started pouring off the bench to congratulate Frank Doyle. The Springfield bench was upset and called Koharski over for a little chat. So after a little discussion, Koharski decided that Springfield had in fact scored and he motioned to some of the remaining players on Lowell’s bench they need to get back. So, if you are having trouble following, he changed his mind. Lowell comes back. They go first in sudden death and don’t score. Obviously Springfield comes down and scores on their first sudden death shot, wins the game 4-3.

In all my years of watching hockey I have never seen anything like that. I was under the impression as the referee, even if you blow a call and you know you’ve blown it, you stick to it. One never ever changes their mind right? Truly a bizarre moment in my hockey watching life.

Game two of the week came to me via my good friend and birthday girl Bridget. She e-mailed me Thursday evening and asked if I wanted to go to the Bruins and Capitals game that evening. The answer? Yes. Yes I did. Thanks yo, and happy birthday.

Jimbo and I saddled up for Boston at 5, and arrived at Halftime Pizza at 6. Good timing indeed. With a large cheese secured, and a 25oz. Bud to wash it down we settled in for the fights. The tape of the evening was all Dennis Bonvie, so I was pretty psyched. It was all his fights as a Bruin, and his only NHL goal was on the tape as well. It got me to thinking about the Bruins team of 2000-01, and ’01-’02 when Bonvie was there. Those were a couple of my favorite teams because you could tell they cared about each other, and were very tight. Those guys were always sticking up for one another.

Once inside, we got our seats and the game began. Boston was soundly outplayed in the fist, but Milan Lucic was looking to get a spark going in the building by taking on Capitals defenseman, John Erksine. I thought the fight was a decent scrap. Both guys are very heavy punchers and it showed as Erksine landed a very hard right to Lucic’s temple, and the big 19 year old went down. Win Erksine, and it was the first one I think I’ve seen Lucic lose all season. Nice job though in taking him on and trying to get the boys started. This seems like a good spot to mention, I like the Bochenski for Hnidy swap a lot. Hnidy is a gritty defenseman (which in case no one noticed, is exactly what Boston needs), and Bo wasn’t playing anyway. Good swap.

After the game we went to Sports Grille Boston for 1 (4) and then back to the office so Jim could get his car. Obviously we went to Hooligan’s for a night cap (4) and on home. I left Jimbo in good hands at the bar, and got out of there before I thought Karaoke was a good idea. As an aside, Jimbo was not well Friday and couldn’t come to game three of the week.

This is called a segue. Game three was a Radiators Team event at the DCU Centre. I took my team, and their significant others, as well as honorary Radiator Kara to the Worcester Sharks and Manchester Monarchs. Manchester was killing Worcester, and I am really surprised there were no fights. I thought for sure Worcester would try to start something after going down 3-1, and then 4-1, but nothing. There was even an instance with 2.6 seconds where there was some pushing and shoving where I thought both coaches might give the tough guys a tap, but alas, nothing. All in all, it was an outstanding week. If I wasn’t afraid MOL would leave me taking the van while I keep the dog, I’d do it all the time. But really, do I need to give her another reason?

I was all set to update you on stuff I missed this week, which was a lot by the way, when I opened my email and found this pile of shit. I really don’t even know what to say. Maybe if we stopped shielding kids from everything bad in the world they might actually have coping skills like the rest of us. Instead we tell kids that when a man stands up for another man because they believe in the same cause, he’s going to kill someone and must be stopped. The scary thing is, this guy’s kid could be running this country some day and he’ll have no idea what it’s like to fight to defend himself. Dennis Bonvie, we here at Goonblog love what you do, and we know why you do it. Thanks for the memories!

For all you Lowell Devils fans out there (Insert Cricket Sound Here) I implore you all to circle January 23, 2008 on your calendars right now. When checking the AHL site today at 10:50 because they told us yesterday the schedule was coming out at 11, what can I say, I’m impatient, I saw Mr. Dennis Bonvie has decided to hang up the blades, and retire the axe after this season. I am not sure if anyone else gets as fired up for AHL schedule day as I do. But for me the summer looks like this.

1. Stanley Cup Awarded.
2. Depression.
3. Free Agency Begins.
4. Depression because the Bruins do nothing. Although they did sign Shawn Thornton this year. Then did nothing else. So, elation, then depression.
5. NHL Schedules come out. Glimmer of hope.
6. Starting to watch old game tapes.
7. Really need to see a fight.
8. AHL Schedules come out.
9. Training Camp.
10. Opening Night. All is right with the world.

Usually I pour over the schedule to see about Opening Night, and any possible road trips. This year, I was only looking for if and when WB Scranton was in the house. So, mark your calendars. January 23.

For me, Bones is the type of guy I want at every position. Dennis stands up for anyone, and everyone on the ice that is wearing the same color as him. Whether it’s a fight to get the boys and the crowd going, or a big hit in the corner. He does what is needed. He’ll keep you honest, and a lot of the times, he’ll keep you in stitches too. The man’s mouth is always running. I guess its part of what he does best. From him barking like a dog at Craig MacDonald, to asking if Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before, to telling Eric Staal he’d have gotten a bigger contract if he’d been able to finish, he’s always going. I haven’t seen Bones since he’s been in WB Scranton, and I am glad he’ll be making a final swing through the Paul this season.

Bonvie is a fan favorite wherever he goes. I am sure the Penguins fans will be out in force all over the AHL barns to see old number 27 off proper. I know that they have several special nights planned for Dennis in the home arena throughout the season, and I am planning on a trip down there. He definitely represents the old guard here in the American League as he’s been playing pro hockey for quite a few years now. The man is a one of a kind type of guy, and a sure Goonblog first ballot hall of famer. The Goonsquad would like to wish Dennis Bonvie all the best on the upcoming season, and success in whatever he decides to do after retiring from hockey. Good luck Dennis. We’ll see you on the 23rd.

I am a huge Dennis Bonvie fan. I can admit it. Check out this article from AHL’s On the Beat. I love his philosophy on his role as an enforcer, and you can tell after all these years, he still likes his job. I have seen him in Lowell in various opposing jerseys, and anytime Bones is in town, the date is circled. I read somewhere the other day when he passed the 4,000 PIM mark; he became the most penalized player in North American Hockey History. Good for you Bones. Job well done.

Not only is he a tough customer, he’s also one of the funniest human beings alive. 3 Highlights from his visits to Lowell.

1. While in with Providence, Bones was stretching out near the blue line. Lowell’s Craig MacDonald was stretching near him. All of a sudden, Bonvie is on all fours, crab walking towards MacDonald, barking like a dog. MacDonald had this weird look on his face like Bonvie had lost his mind. Come to find out, they are Cousins, and Bones was just saying hello.

2. In his first season with Binghamton he fought Jan Vodrazka. In keeping with his theme of giving the young guys a chance. Well, the fight was very one sided to be sure. He smoked Vodrazka in a very quick bout. After being led to the box, Bonvie sat down and asked the attendant, "hey, has that guy ever fought before?"

3. Again, in keeping with the theme of giving young guys a chance, Dennis got in a fight with Trevor Gillies when he was with Lowell. After they squared off for about 30-40 seconds (Dennis likes to take his time) they had a quick one sided fight, and Gillies didn’t like the out come. After going to the box, they were yelling back and forth.

Gillies: Hey bones, what with all this squaring off shit? I like to stand there and chuck em! We gonna go again right?

Bonvie: No! I gave you your shot at the title, you’re all done for tonight!

Get out and catch Bones if you can. Win, lose, or draw, he’s always worth the price of admission.