How many times do we have to listen to that question? Look at the NBA, MLB, NFL and hell even NASCAR for all you gear heads out there, you fight you are suspended and or fined large amounts of $$$. Some examples include Carmelo Anthony hitting some punk from the Knicks with his purse and got suspended for 15 games while former Sox hurler Bronson Arroyo got suspended for 6 games after a fight against the Tampa Bay DevilDogs. Were either of those fights necessary? I’m sure if you asked Melo and Bronson they would respond with a resounding YES but in all honesty, those fisticuffs had no real impact on the outcome of the game.
Take last night’s B’s tilt vs. Edmonton. The pre-game started with a nice tribute to The Chief Johnny Bucyk for his 50 yeas of service to the organization. He even got a Rolex and a brand new Volvo SUV for his troubles. I’m not sure that’s enough for the torture of dealing with Jeremy and his smarty pants son Charley Jacobs all these years but hey to each their own. The arena had a nice buzz to it and I’m sure so did Chris wherever he was! The game opened with a few sloppy plays by both sides with all in all not much spirited action. Then all hell breaks loose when Jeremy Reich busts his ass down to prevent an icing and bangs into Matt Greene. Wammo kablamo the gloves are off and away they go. Solid scrap with Reich getting the nod in this tilt.
By the way, other than a guy getting one punched – hockey fights, for the most part, end up pretty even. Now the place is rockin, fans are pounding beers along with their chests, Chris I am sure is doing the same and you can sense the B’s have some life. Just over 2 minutes after the fight, the B’s strike on a PP followed by another goal and take a 2-0 lead in to the first intermission. Eventually leaving the ice with a 3-0 W and two much needed points.
Without that fight, who knows what would have happened in this game. With it, one can clearly understand what role fighting has in the NHL. This fight changed momentum, got the home crowd into the game, sparked life into a near lifeless team, got me to put the remote down and not change it to, god help me as I type thisAmerican Idol. That hurt, sorry about that, its’ part of my recovery process I am going through by being honest about things. Fighting is listed as a 5 minute penalty in the NHL (other additional minutes can be incurred due to the Instigator rule). It’s as clear as Wet Lite lubricant. Fighting has always and will continue to play a significant impact in the NHL. The day fighting in the NHL incurs a similar punishment as other professional sports is the day hockey will truly die. I hope for my sake that never occurs. Long Live the pugilist!
Great point Killer! I was not drinking as I have been in the can hurling for the better part of the last 36 hours. I totally agree with your stance on the Reich fight. It had to be done by both guys, and it really turned the tide for the home club. I am not sure what will become of Reich when Kobasew is ready to come back to the lineup, as they will have too many forwards. Here’s hoping he stays.
That GI bug seems to be getting around more than H. Blair back in her day! I hope you feel better and are back in drinking form soon.
H. Blair. Classic. MOL is making me a Manhattan as we speak. I’M BACK BABY!
Maker’s Mark Manhattan straight up with a twist
Wondrous post, Wondrous HB joke. Killer should come to the game on the 3rd, methinks.
Woodford Reserve.
I was lucky enough to be at the game on Tuesday, JMac spotted 11 of us free tix, was definately a different feel in the garden than any game I’ve been to since I was at game seven Montreal before the strike. The place went nuts after the scrum and the energy of the crowd and the B’s was great for the remainder of the game. Great post Killer.
Greg, thanks for your feedback. Next time you come across 11 freebies don’t forget to invite the boy’s from the GoonSquad.
JAY MILLER! One little ass-kicker. I’m glad to see that that’s one thing that after all these years,has not changed. Anyone who has actually played hockey knows the frustration of “the one that got away” This is so much more than A “hockey fan” can or ever will understand. Having played hockey since 1978,and still loving it, I do not watch hockey like I used to. These guys were born with skates on,and play A North American sport,only to submit to “world” rules intended to speed up the game.Like these guys didn’t bust ass enough already? And for alot less money than most, if not all other professional athletes. If these money grubbing#*^@#@##* decide that for family entertainment, they need to take the fight out of the game, then they will certainly take the game out of the fight. LONG LIVE BLOOD SWEAT AND TEETH!!!
Little Green, go get the little bunny rabbit….No, no…too shy
Atta boy SteveO..welcome to GoonBlog!
Little Green? I guess so, I thought I was commenting on A site that was really interested in conversation and opinions on the worlds greatest sport. But instead I intruded on some drunken egotistical click.Oh yeah, how do you get that many FREE tickets? In twenty-nine years of playing this sport,I’m just now realizing there are Manhattan drinking groupies watching my ass.OOH LA LA. Even my wife drinks her tequila straight. And maintains her feminity. thanks for the warm welcome to goonblog Killah.
Chasing bunny rabbits? I’ll check ta later.
Hey Killer, You still pissed at me? I just get defensive. I am A goalie.
Red Thunder, I am not pissed at you at all. We live in a Free country, thanks to you and the others who have served in the military to maintain that freedom. Your comments are welcome here anytime. My problem is I love Hockey and the B’s are gonna miss the playoffs cause they suck so much. I’m gonna root for Atlanta during the playoffs. No bandwagon rider just a pure FAN needing a fix.
I will root for drinking during the playoffs. I care not who plays.
The Bruins were up 2 TO 1 when I left the bar.So what happened????
I missed it myself Hard Charger. Sounds like I am better off not having seen it.
During one of the intermissions in todays Penguins Flyers game Bill Clement, Brett Hull and Ray Ferraro talked about the need for fighting in the NHL and how the Ottawa – Buffalo brawl was the most talked about thing around the NHL in the last 2 years. I hope the NHL was listening
I saw it as well Taz. All three said fighting belonged in the game. Old time hockey.
If I am the Bruins I keep Reich in the line up when Kobasew comes back. He has been playing good hockey and as a police man he has been great. People think twice before smacking Savard or Kessel. I would alternate between Kobasew and Chistov. Who ever is playing better gets the burn. Reich and many other NHL thugs are too important to sit down.
K Special – I like your thinking but it looks like Dave Lewis doesn’t have the same mind set. Kobasew will debut tonight with Kessel and Bochenski and Chistov will be a healthy scratch. No Reich in tonight’s lineup.
Killer where did you attend school? Are you saying Chistov is a healthy scratch or our boy Reich? I reich is out I totally disagree with the move.
According to the Bruins Blog writer, Fluto Shinzawa, here is tonight’s lineup:
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/
It appears Lewis AGREES with me Killer. It seems Chistov is a healthy scratch and Reith is playing on the 3rd line. Long live the NHL police man!!!!!
K special you are right. I guess all those years of getting pounded in the eye have cost me some vision. Let’s hope Reich knocks someones block off.
One of the Million Dollar Babies decided not to sleep last night so I was up pacing the f-n house all night with him in tow. I just hope I can keep my eyes open 2night and watch the B’s.
Anyone see DiPietro’s performance last night? Kid was on fire.
I am psyched for Kobasew. Saw himduring the lockout of rthe whole season with the Lockmonsters. Kid is legit. Going to the Minny game Thursday. Boogey man in the hizzy.
Come on Chris, Kobasew is nothing to get overly excited about. He is a 3rd liner in the show. That is the huge problem with most B’s fans, they get excited about middle of the road talent. Most of the forwards on this Bruins team are 3rd liners on other teams in the league. Murray, Bergeron, Kessel, Sturm are all mid-tier forwards in the NHL. Savard is elite. Some of the forwards (Tenkrat, Chistov) would not even crack most line ups.
I totally disagree with you K Special. Beregron is one of the best young forwards in the game. He is very strong on the puck, and has good on ice vision. Kessel is a 18 year old kid that will be an elite player in the NHL when he grows up. Murray, with the right center, can score with the best of them, and Sturm is a talented kid as well. I really think Boston is a good place for Kobasew, and he will surprise people here.
Alone Murray is useless. He is so dependant on having an elite playmaking center, without one he offers very little. He is a terrible skater, he cannot stick handle, and he does not hit. His shot is wonderful but he cannot create any of his own offense. I do like Bergeron but he has proven this season to be somewhat average. He is not making the ja dropping plays we have seen in the past. Why is that? I will tell you, because he no longer sneaks up on anyone. Teams game plan for him now and he needs to adjust to that. I hope you are right about Kessel. He has been getting better but I am concerned with the physical aspect of the game. He is not a large person and when hit he folds like an accordian. Lets hope Whiteside puts some muscle on him and some lights a fire under his ass to give him the mean streak needed to go to the tough places on the ice to score. I get excited about guys like Cole, both Staals, Malkin, St. Louis, dynamic forwards who can create their own offense, play with a snarl and do not shy away from the physical play.
Good points all around. I think Kessel is used to playing against boys. Once he gains muscle, and the more he gets hit by NHL players, the better off he’ll be.
Pain leaving the body???
Killer, your boy Dunham got lit up last night. I went to a Halloween party at Killers house a few years ago and Mike Dunham was there. I was dressed as a hot slut. Dunham had not costume and sat in the corner all nihgt long. what a chump.
U forgot to mention he had a toothpick in his mouth all night. What a dueche!
I was there for that too. I was calling him red light, and Coppertone all night. I was dressed as a drunken fat kid.