Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Washington… Cornholios?

What a weekend in Sluggerville! Time for a few hockey fight recaps, and usually when you see a link associated with a particular brawl, it will take you to the almighty HockeyFights.com where you can participate in a poll to vote for the winner. At least until they send us a cease-and-desist.

Things got a little snarly as it were in the Nation’s Capital last night between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning. ESPN may have a real grudge match type game on their hands on Sunday, as these two teams meet at 7 bells. Back in the old days, the coaches would start their 4^th lines. The tough guys would square up, and it would be over. Sometimes, you’d be lucky enough to get a line brawl, and then back to the hockey. I’m interested to see what happens Sunday, but let’s take a look at last night’s action first.

Things got started at the 1:56 mark of the second period. After Washington’s Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has a last name that sounds like a German dessert, tried to decapitate Tampa’s Cal Foote both teams were at center ice milling around. That is never a good idea, and the linesmen needed to do a better job of keeping the teams separated. To no one’s surprise, Pat “Big Rig” Maroon was jawing with Washington’s Garnet Hathaway for a few minutes as the officials tried to sort out the penalty for Aube-Kubel. I like my Aube-Kubel warm with cinnamon.

Pat Maroon vs. Garnet Hathaway
Anyway, to no one’s surprise, the jawing betwixt Maroon and Hathaway escalated to sticks down, gloves off at center ice. It didn’t look like much was landed, punch wise, save for a few body shots and a couple of rights before they got their gloves off by Maroon. He and Hathaway got 5 each for fighting, a misconduct each. Nicolas Aube-Kubel received a match penalty for the hit and is most definitely going to have some words with NHL Disciplinarian George Parros about his actions. Tampa coach John Cooper certainly approved of the Big Rig, as you can see him shouting his praise to his tough guy in the box.

Vladislav Namestnikov vs. Erik Gustafsson
Things got nasty again at 14:20 of the third period. After some jostling in the corner between Washington’s John Carlson and Ross Colton, things got really serious when Colton had enough of Carlson’s manhandling. Colton gives Carlson a hard cross check which draws the attention of everyone on the ice. Tampa’s Vladislav Namestnikov and Washington’s Erik Gustafsson get squared up.

At the same time, “Scorey” Corey Perry and Anthony Mantha decide to dance. Namestnikov gives Gustafsson a sound beating, landing many rights. Perry gets the classic jersey over the head move on the Capitals Anthony Mantha – leaving the announcers to wonder if anyone is tied down anymore. And while he’s got Mantha shirted, gives him a bunch of rights for his trouble. When they’re separated, Mantha is left in the classic Cornholio pose from the old Beavis and Butthead days. Classic!

These two teams combined for 79 total PIM, and as I said, they’ll get back at it Saturday night – so stay tuned for a hockey fight recaps update. I wish Tom Wilson wasn’t hurt for Washington, as he would have likely been the one answering the bell toll. I question if he would, but it should be him on a good night. I’m dropping the girls off (not a euphemism) and will hopefully make it for the opening faceoff this evening. It will take some speeding (only on the way home), but it can be done. I wonder if I get pulled over if “racing home to see a potential donnybrook” will be a valid excuse?

Update: 11/14/22
I likely opened up a time warp on Route 95 in Maine Sunday, racing home to make the start of the Tampa / Washington game. Because I expected some kind of a response to the previous game’s chicanery from Washington. Instead they seemed very… disinterested.

They were soundly outplayed by Tampa and were not really in the game – at all. While there was a scrap at the 20:00 minute mark of the first, between Tampa’s Pat Maroon and Washington’s Matt Irwin, there wasn’t much to it – at all. Looked like a bunch of punches to the license plate by Maroon, and then a take down.

The Capitals eventually lost 6-3, and again, were never in the contest to begin with and didn’t seem to even want to be there. These two teams don’t play again until March. Quasi-toughguy Tom Wilson should be back from his injury by then, and maybe he’ll have to fight, but in hockey – revenge is traditionally a dish best served warm.