Goons

Real Hockey is Back

by Chris on March 6, 2010
in Chris, Colton Orr, Goons, GoonSquad, Matt Carkner, Milan Lucic, Toronto Maple Leafs

Congratulations Canada, you barely beat America at the game you invented. No, I kid. I saw that on the site, Texts from Last Night. Go there for hilarity. For hockey hilarity, you stay here. Now then, Canada won gold last Sunday in a game I saw maybe 20 seconds of due to a prior engagement. I will say I enjoyed the tournament, as the hockey was up and down in every game, and who will forget Pavol Demitra hitting the cross bar with about 22 seconds left against Canada Friday night? That goes in, and it easily could have been USA and Slovakia for gold in Vancouver.

Naturally, after a game like the gold medal game, the talk turns to will this help the NHL, or not? From my seat in the stands, I prefer NHL hockey over International play because a lot of the cheap shit that went on in the Olympics has to be answered for. I don’t care how inspirational Saku Koivu’s story is, he’s a dirty little fucker and the stick work he deployed during the Olympics would have been dealt with in the NHL. Same with Alexander Semin’s late hit on Dan Boyle. Shifty Euros get smaller and less brave with their sticks in the NHL, and that’s the game I like. Will the tournament help the NHL? Maybe short term. Long term reality of the situation is this. You are either a hockey fan or you aren’t. One exciting game, gold medal or otherwise, will not turn the tide of a niche sport.

Tonight should feature why I love the NHL so much, as the Battle of Ontario rivalry between Toronto, and Ottawa is on again. When we last left our heroes, Goonblog favorite, Matt Carkner, had been beaten soundly by another Goonblog favorite, Colton Orr. Look for these two to get after it again early in tonight’s contest.

I had the privilege of watching Orr soundly beat Boston’s Milan Lucic in person this week. Everyone in the building, including Don Cherry, was on Milan for giving up on the fight. Well, what we didn’t know was Orr had broken the big Serbians nose early in the fight, and when they got separated Lucic wanted no more part of sticking the already formidable beak back in there. I can’t say I blame him, as it is my opinion Colton Orr is the best in the business right now. Damn I wish he was still in the black and gold! Glad the NHL is back boys!

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15 Questions With Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators

by The Ref on February 13, 2010
in Featured, Interviews, Matt Carkner

A GoonBlog.com Exclusive!

1. After turning Pro in 2001-02 with Cleveland, and having played in 2 NHL contests prior to this season, how do you keep yourself motivated to make the NHL? Hockey is my life and I have always been driven to compete at the highest level that I could. Playing in the NHL has always been my #1 goal and just being so close for so long gave me a little hope that it could happen. As I got further into my career, I felt that my shot may not come, but I wanted to be ready if it did.

2. Who in your opinion is the toughest guy in the NHL right now? You can say yourself. George Laraque is probably one of the toughest, I haven’t fought him yet, but I’m sure I will get the chance. I’d probably say that Colton Orr is up there as well, I did fight him and he comes at you hard.

3. Is Jeremy Yablonski a former teammate you were glad to have on your side? Definitely, he is a tough player. He always brings energy to the games and I don’t think there are too many guys who really like to fight him.

4. Which did you enjoy more, your first NHL scrap, or first NHL goal? I think the goal was more enjoyable mainly because it was in my home town and it was the first time I ever played in the NHL at the Scotiabank Place. All of my family was there and I also got the first star. So, it was a pretty big night. I also had an assist that night, but I couldn’t get Jackman to fight me for the Gordie Howe. Ha ha, I guess I’ll have to do that some other time.

5. What are the biggest differences between the AHL and NHL? The structure of the game is a lot better. Sometimes in the minors players will totally get out of position and for a defenseman trying to break the puck out, it’s sometimes hard to do when you don’t know where your forwards are going to be. Also everyone is more skilled, faster, bigger, and smarter. It’s definitely a big step up.

6. How many times have you seen SlapShot? Too many.

7. Which tough guys in the NHL chirp the most? I don’t know if it’s necessarily the tough guys that do most of the chirping.

8. Do you keep track of your fight card? No, but I usually remember who I fight.

9. When you look ahead on the schedule, are there certain games you just know you’ll have to drop the gloves? Does it make your game day preparation any different? Some times you know for sure, but then other times you think you are going to have to, but it never happens. Everyone is on different pages and sometimes guys are banged up and don’t really want to go. So, I just prepare to play the game and am always ready to drop the gloves.

10. If you have time to think about fighting (IE, after a goal off a faceoff when you’ve talked about it with the other guy) what are you thinking as the puck drops? Is it the same if you drop them during heat of the game type scrap? I just see what kind of stance he’s in and try to find a way to get an advantage. Every fight is different and it’s a lot of read and react.

11. Can you hear the crowd during the game, or is it just the game action? Not really. I do hear when they get real loud, but I’m focused mostly on the game and communicating with my teammates.

12. Do you ever decline a fight (not the right time, hand a little tender) but inside you just want to pound the crap out of someone? Ya, it happens. You either get told by the coaches not too, or your banged up. Sometimes I’ll be at the end of a shift and you don’t want to give your opponent a big advantage.

13. If you are on the way to the rink and someone cuts you off in traffic, is it nice to know you have a job where you can slam someone into the glass to channel some frustrations? It’s always good to let the frustrations out.

14. What would Goonblog readers be surprised to know about Matt Carkner? That I prefer the Cove Country Inn as opposed to Morton’s Steakhouse.

15. Do you think The Ref has the biggest head you’ve ever seen, or is it just me? Huge head.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Carkinator. Here’s to a continued great first year in the show! Matt Carkner Stats at HockeyFights.com.

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Win Some, Lose Some Part Deux

by Chris on February 9, 2010
in Chris, Colton Orr, Goons, GoonSquad, Jody Shelley

See what I mean? Win some, lose some.

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Better Luck Next Time

by Chris on February 8, 2010
in Chris, Colton Orr, Goons, GoonSquad, Matt Carkner, Toronto Maple Leafs

To say Saturday was an emotional day for the Toronto Maple Leafs could be the understatement of the century. Already reeling from blowing a lead in New Jersey on Friday night, they learned of the tragic death of GM Brian Burke’s son, Brendan on an icy road in Indiana. Goonblog would like to extend our condolences to the Burke family. I can’t imagine what they must be going through, and wish to never find out. With the business of hockey having to go on, the Leafs squared off against an Ottawa team that was flying high after winning 11 games in a row.

After returning from another Bruin loss, this one to Vancouver, I was given the opportunity to watch either Real Housewives of the Jersey Girls Survivor Bachelor or whatever the crap reality show MOL had lined up. No wait. It was Out of Sight, with J. Lo, and George Clooney, my mistake. Anyway, I chose to retire to the office for a game.

I had picked the Leafs and Sens for one reason, and one reason only as my game of the night. Number 28 in white, Colton Orr, and number 39 in red, Mr. Matt Carkner would be renewing some old acquaintances. Kudos to the ACC Centre crowd for staying silent during the entire moment of silence for Brendan Burke. I find nothing more disrespectful than the idiot who takes the opportunity to scream Let’s go Insert Team name here! during the honoring of someone, or something’s memory.

These two have tangled twice before with the record being 1-1, and it didn’t’ take long for the rubber match to get under way. The two tough guys got together along the glass just inside the blue line, and it was on. Both guys got the gloves off, and Orr started in with 4 very hard right hands. Colton isn’t considered one of the toughest in the league for no reason (I say THE toughest) as the 3rd punch stunned Carkner, and the 4th sent him to the ice. I am not 100% sure if he was knocked all the way out, but Matt sure seemed a little uneasy when rising to his feet. I give Carkner all the credit in the world for wanting to skate across to the penalty box, but the training staff and officials had a different idea, and he was lead off to get looked at. It was a clear win for Colton Orr, and the season series is now 2-1 for Orr.

That’s the thing about this game of hockey, and enforcing.hell, even life. You win some, you lose some. Carkner was shown when he came back to his bench. One of his mates tapped his glove as if to say, Hey, good go and Carkner just kind of shrugged. What are you gonna do? Win some lose some Matt, now you owe Orrsie one.

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Good Luck, Trevor!

by Chris on January 30, 2010
in Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Jeremy Yablonski, Trevor Gillies

The Bruins lost 2-1 last night, and other than the fact they couldn’t stay out o the box, and couldn’t finish their chances per usual, I think it was the best game compete level wise in quite some time. Here’s hoping they can replicate the effort from last night, and put a couple more past the Kings tonight. Having said that, I am here to speak of something else today. One of Goonblog’s favorite sons got the call this week, and I think I speak for everyone in the Goonsquad, when saying we couldn’t be prouder of Trevor Gillies today!

First off, I’m not mental or anything, but is there a better birthday present for Trevor than playing in his second NHL game today. Against the Philadelphia Flyers no less? If Riley Cote is in the lineup today, it will most certainly be on. We have been huge fans of Trevor for years here at Goonblog, and want to wish him all the best in the NHL! Go get em Trevor. Here’s a real heavyweight tilt between Trevor and best friend Jeremy Yablonski from last weekend to wet your whistle!

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The NHL Winter Classic was… Classic!

by Chris on January 3, 2010
in Chris, Daniel Carcillo, GoonSquad, Philadelphia Flyers, Shawn Thornton, Winter Classic 2010

Friday January 1, 2010 will mark the day I had the most fun I have ever had at Fenway Park. I am a hockey fan to the core, so I am a little biased, but the Winter Classic at Fenway was better than any Red Sox game I have ever been to. I’ve seen them all too. The Game the Sox came back and beat Tampa bay two years ago? I was there. The game Don Zimmer and Pedro Martinez had a dust up and the benches cleared twice? I was there. The Winter Classic was so much better than anything I have ever seen there. It truly was a once in a lifetime event that was so special it’s hard to describe just how cool it was. I will start at the beginning.

I took the 7:25 train into North Station to meet George over at the hotel by the Garden. I was texting him updates from the USA vs. Canada World Junior game from New Year’s Eve and we were commenting how we felt like kids on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa. I could barely sleep I was so excited, but the 7:25 train was perfect. It gave us plenty of time to have breakfast, meet Steve Begin’s wife and the commander of the ground crew for the B-2 flyover. He was a super nice guy, and he took the time to tell us all about the plane, where it was coming from, and more importantly, which direction it would be coming from. After a nice breakfast, and some picture taking with said commander, it was off to the Green Line for our trek to Fenway.

The first thing that struck me as I walked into the North Station T stop, I mean other than the overwhelming smell of pee, puke, and hot poop, was the amount of Flyers fans. I have to give it to those guys, they represented well. There was almost as much orange and black as black and gold on the train ride over, and it was a theme throughout the day. Apologies to Flyers fans for this next comment, but I hate the Flyers, and for the most part, they have the worst fans in the league. I have seen them all in my tenure as a Bruins fan, and 2 year season ticket holder, and it’s true. They are awful. So, you can imagine my surprise when every single Flyer fan I talked to on New Year’s Day was not a total prick like usual. I am not sure if it was the event or what it was, but tip of the cap Flyers fans, for once you were cool to hang with.

Once arriving at Fenway, at 9ish, a full two hours before gates opened, we went to the Fan Fest they had across from Yawkey Way. It was a cornucopia of vendors, and ice sculptures and a bunch of crazy crap for the kids. Oh, also, a shit load of Flyers fans. Seriously, I think it was 60-40 split. Boston/Philly. One particular Flyer fan lamented there wasn’t enough Flyers gear in the retro fitted for the Winter Classic souvenir shop on Yawkey Way. My favorite Bruins fan for one second aptly pointed out it was a Bruins home game, and perhaps they should clam up. He was my favorite until he asked us if we were going to get a Let’s go Red Sox chant started, and was met with 5 blank stares like he just asked us the square root of 2,000,756, and it was only then I noticed his 22 jersey was not Shawn Thornton, but Shean Donovan. Yeah. He’s cut.

After we had enough of the pro shops, we were kicked off Yawkey Way, and walked around the building. We dropped the two younger boys off at their gate, which was where our original seats were supposed to be, and wandered around the entire building to get to our gate. We happened by the entrance to where the Bruins bus was to arrive, and decided after waiting about 10 minutes we were getting a little too meat slapperish, and moved on to stand in line at Gate D. Normally in lines there is a lot of lamenting how the line sucks and so forth, but not on this day. There was talk of hockey, and excitement on how good, or bad the seats everyone had were going to be.

I never doubt George as earlier in the week the Bruins had released 300 tickets to the season ticket holders. We were lucky enough to score three in Pavilion Box 18, which is the section where the Coca-Cola sign is in left field. We were able to donate the original seats we had, Section 33, right below our seats to his two youngest boys. It cost him a pretty penny to get the whole family in, and myself an extra hundred bucks, but it was worth every single penny, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Once inside, we found our seats, and were greeted by the nicest usher ever. I didn’t catch his name but he was a great guy. Our seats were kick ass. No doubt George did a fantastic job. Now it was just a waiting game until the game was under way.

As the fans started streaming in I again took note of how many Flyers fans there were. A husband and wife team came to our section and asked Mr. Nice Usher if there were any open seats. He took this ludicrous request in stride and said nicely, no, I think it will be full, but there are some standing room only sections over there. They left, but not before lamenting how he was a 30 year season ticket holder for the Flyers, and he felt that entitled him to some special treatment at a Bruins home game. I will address all the complaints about the event at the end. That was one of my favorites.

As the time ticked towards 1, the excitement was building. We were in a section with people that were there mostly for the event, as evidence by the gentlemen next to Brad that kept calling the Flyers, the Phillies, and later on when the first frozen fight happened George, Brad and I were the only three people standing and cheering. In a way, I guess I was better as they weren’t all rowdy and at each other’s throats (did I mention there was a lot of Flyers fans) but on the other it sucked because we were on the end and the non fans got up 75 times to go get something, or stop right in front of us to take pictures at the end of the game. Not so much a complaint, as a byproduct of being at a special event somewhere. Big ups to the guy in front of us who noticed the B-2 coming. I managed to get a couple of really good pictures as the stealthy mother went right over our heads. Very nice touch.

Finally, the game was on! After the Bobby’s shook hands at center ice, and the Dropkicks played the game had begun! It didn’t take long for the first frozen fight to happen, and at first blush it looked as if Daniel Carcillo smoked Shawn Thornton. After watching it about 30 times, I think Carcillo landed a nice punch, but it looked to me like Thornton was off balance after switching hands. Either way, it was great to see a fight in the Winter Classic! I could have done without Carcillo’s grandstanding in the box, but I give him high marks for not violating the code and slugging Thornton when he was down and prone.

After a scoreless first in which it looked like both teams were pretty content to feel each other and the venue out, the Flyers drew first blood when Tim Thomas temporarily lost his mind by shoving Scott Hartnell in the back as Danny Syvret was shooting a puck on goal. Timmy was seeking payback for Hippy Hartnell running him moments before. There was no call, but should have been, and Timmy doled out his own brand of justice at the wrong time. Truthfully, there should have been a penalty called on Timmy, but it would have been washed out by the goal anyway. At the time of the goal, the thought process for Bruins fans was, oh, it’s early. They’ll get it back.

Cardiac Doctors could have made a killing on Friday at frozen Fenway, because the it’s early, they’ll get it back feeling went away and was replaced by, no friggin way the Bruins aren’t even going to score once in the frigging Winter Frigging Classic. After a rousing Sweet Caroline was sung by Dennis Leary, Lenny Clarke, and 40,000 people, the Bruins finally got on the scoreboard with a little more than 2 minutes to play. Mark What Time is Matlock Recchi does what he does and best and goes hard to the net for a tape to tape pass from Derek Revere Beach Seagull Morris to tie the score. Pandemonium. All the stress and wondering went out the window and was replaced by a wall of sound the Grateful Dead would have been proud of. It was like no other goal celebration I had ever heard, until Marco I HATE SCORING Sturm, or as the boys at Hub Hockey call him, Sturmface scored the walk off goal in OT. Pandemonium. X2.

The game could not have been more perfectly scripted without getting Hollywood involved. I am so lucky I was able to get seats where I did, but either way, it was a special day at Fenway. I have read a ton of stories about bad site lines, and overpriced tickets, and to those reports I say, what the hell did you expect? It’s a hockey game at a baseball stadium. A once in a lifetime game at that. If you thought you were getting a good seat in the bleachers, or anywhere down low, you were crazy. Over the years the Winter Classic at Fenway will take on a Woodstock effect with 300,000 people claiming to be there. For those of us that were there it was a truly special day that wouldn’t have been Â½ as special at Gillette Stadium. I’m sure the view was terrible down low, but the experience of being in Fenway Park on New Year’s Day to see a Classic Winter Classic cannot have a price tag put on it.

GoonBlog’s Full 2010 NHL Winter Classic Gallery:

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Lazy Boxing Day

by Chris on December 26, 2009
in Byron Bitz, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, MOL, Shawn Thornton

Happy Boxing Day all! Christmas has been lovely so far. MOL and I had dinner at Mother’s Christmas Eve, then we all had Chinese at a new joint (well, new to us) in Westford last night. Right now MOL is baking a cake to bring to Mother’s for our family party. My brother and the kids are coming up. It should be mega. I got a puzzle, underwear, and a bird book so far. Not a bad haul. I hope you guys all enjoyed the true spirit of the season, you know, getting plastered at a family Christmas party and falling into the Christmas tree while everyone rolls their eyes. I don’t drink anymore, so I am counting on the rest of the goons out there to carry on fine traditions in my honor!

Thanks to everyone for reading and posting on the Top 10 list. I hope you had as much fun reading it, as I did writing and reminiscing on the past 10 years of goonery. We have a ton of new readers because of the post, and I’d like to personally welcome you all. If you are looking for a fun place to talk hockey and enforcers, you’ve found it here at Goonblog. Thanks for stopping by.

Finally, I found this article on Boston.com about Shawn Thornton lobbying hard to get on the first line. Very funny stuff. The 4th line has been a going concern in the last few Boston contests, and I like the energy Sobotka has brought. The second goal in Ottawa was all Bitzy Cat and Thornton, and 22 had a nice dish Wednesday against Atlanta. Coach Julien rolls four lines, and when Boston had success last year, it was rolling all four with great success. It looks like they are still trying to find some chemistry on the top 3 lines, but the 4th line in Boston is getting it done night in and night out. Well done boys. So, looking forward to Canada vs. Latvia today at 4. Other than that, lounging around all day boys. Enjoy the weekend all!

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Top 10 Hockey Enforcers of the Decade

by Chris on December 20, 2009
in "Mad" Mel Angelstad, Ben Eager, Brendan Walsh, Colton Orr, Darcy Hordichuk, Dennis Bonvie, Featured, Gordie Dwyer, Jan Vodrazka, Lowell Lockmonsters, PJ Stock, Ryan Flinn, Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies

As the end of the decade approaches there are a million different "Top…" lists floating around the web. The Ref and I have been heavily debating the Top 50 Comedies of the 00’s and we both agree Stepbrothers is getting royally shafted. Naturally, The Hangover is coming in tops on a lot of lists. It’s also #1 on our list of the Top 50 Overrated Comedies of the decade. If you haven’t seen Stepbrothers, do it. NOW! Wait. Finish reading this, and then sit down with Brennan and Dale.

On a slightly more related note, GoonBlog.com has been around for about half the decade and has seen some great enforcers come in to the league during that time. It got me to thinking about who my choice for favorite tough guy of the last ten years would be. I am having a hard time choosing right now for a few reasons. First, I am not all that creative. The second being, if they had a list of Top 50 Things I did to my brain to cause damage this decade with booze and a general lack of common sense, we wouldn’t really scratch the surface of how un-smart I am. Here are some things I am struggling with in terms of prerequisites.

Dennis Bonvie recently retired as the most penalized player in North American hockey history. He’s been playing hockey for a long time now, and he’s one of my all time favorite tough guys. Would he be considered an enforcer of the decade despite the fact his career spans several? Also, does he have enough NHL experience to be considered? Does NHL experience matter? That puts a guy like Tie Domi in the mix. He has all NHL experience and retired in the decade, but does that make him the best of most popular enforcer of the decade?

I don’t care much for wins and losses in a fight, what I am looking for when thinking of this list is guys I like to watch fight, and when I am flipping through the Center Ice Package I stop and say, Oh, I’ll watch this game because so and so plays for them. In the end I decided on a couple of definites.

1. If they played in the years 2000-2009, they were eligible.
2. If I followed the career path, they were eligible.
3. If I had personally met and interacted with them off the ice, eligible. This is where a lot of guys score highly.

Without further ado, Goonblog’s Top 10 Enforcers of the Decade!

10. PJ Stock. Undersized for the role, PJ went into the breach with the determination of a hungry Pit Bull in Michael Vick’s back yard. He had three of the most memorable fights in the New Boston Garden, and had a hell of a following in Boston. To this day, PJ Stock Crew shirts can still be seen worn to Bruins games.

9. Shawn Thornton. 22 has been a full time NHLer since the 06-07 season where he won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim. Before that, he made frequent stops in the Tsongas Arena with Norfolk, and Portland. Thornton is a guy that clearly enjoys playing a game for a living and keeps penalty box attendants in stitches with his quick wit. On here as much for his personality as he is his pugilistic ability, Shawn has improved his fighting skills tremendously this season.

8. Ben Eager. On here mostly because I marvel at how equipment mangers around the league are consistently able to make a Gatorade bucket look like a hockey helmet. Have you seen the size of that boy’s heeeed?!

7. Darcy Hordichuk. I have been a big fan of him since the old Springfield Falcon days. He also had a couple of donnybrooks with Mad Mel Angelstad when they were both in the IHL that are a must see for any fight fan.

6. Ryan Flinn. If there was a more intimidating looking enforcer in the AHL from 2001-2005, I didn’t see him. But then again, maybe I’ve been blocking them out. Shudder. The resemblance to Jim The Anvil Neidhart is also remarkable.

5. Gordie Dwyer. Hands down, one of the nicest most personable guys I have ever met. He was hurt a lot of the time he was a member of the Lowell Lockmonsters so I got to speak with him many, many times during games. Not 100% sure he enjoyed the role of enforcer, definitely not at the AHL level, but for a guy that could fight he was the one of the best skaters, and body checkers around.

4. Officer Brendan Walsh. No doubt, the funniest human being on the ice ever. With quotes like, Half price goatees boys? And "Hey Kanko, give me extra cheese on my taco, it’s hard to disagree. The only thing that ever got the best of Walshie was a puck according to him; he was a thorn in the AHL’s side for 4 seasons. His one game swan song as a Lowell Lockmoster was one of my favorite memories of the old team.

3. Trevor Gillies. Speaking of the old Lockmonsters, Trevor has been a Goonblog favorite since his debut with Lowell in the 1999-2000 season. One of the best guys off the ice as well, he’s always willing to stop and say hi when coming back to the Paul. His fight in which he and Richard Scott bloodied each other was one of the better fights I have seen in that building.

2. Dennis Bonvie. Every time Bones was in the building, the calendar was circled and watched with the anticipation of getting a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock. Could rival Walshie as the funniest person on earth, Bonvie was always entertaining and gave an honest effort every night. Some career highlights include the time he was barking like a dog at Craig MacDonald at the redline during warm-ups, and asking the penalty box attendant if Lowell’s Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before after handling he youngster soundly. Classic Bonvie.

1.Colton Orr. Right now, Orrsie is my favorite player in the NHL not wearing #17 for the Boston Bruins. If Boston were smart, they wouldn’t have waived him a couple of years ago, but that is a whole different post. Orr is as tough and honest as they come these days. He truly loves to fight as evidence by the ear to ear grin on his face while being led to his home away from home to feel shame for 5 minutes at a time. Also, the time I introduced myself to him after I had at least 30 beers after a Bruins game he could have been a real jerk to a drunken guy. Instead he humored me for a few minutes as we talked enforcers, and guys he has fought. I am sure I was making no sense, as the look on his face was an indication, but he was a cool guy like most of the pro hockey players out there are.

So, there we have it. My Top 10. I’d love to see what the group thinks, and welcome any suggestions on guys I left out. Merry Christmas all. Go easy on the egg nog, eh?

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Goonblog Gives Thanks

by Chris on November 29, 2009
in Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Matthew Corrente, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Tim Jackman

I trust everyone had a great Thanksgiving? It’s funny, my buddy JD called me Wednesday afternoon and said something to the effect of, I liked this holiday more when it was a homecoming. I couldn’t agree more. Back in the day, we’d start the Monday before, and wouldn’t stop until January 2nd. Then take the customary dry out until the Daytona 500. In my mind, there is no greater party night than the night before Thanksgiving. Since I haven’t had a drink in thirteen and a half months, and I’m 35 years old, the holiday is now about what it’s supposed to be about. Spending time with friends and family while reflecting on what one has to be thankful for. Pretty much the same as before, without having to excuse yourself from the dinner table because your profuse sweating and stale beer smell is upsetting Grandmother Charlotte. At any rate, however you spent the weekend; I hope it was a great holiday.

In the spirit of giving thanks, I would like to give thanks for hockey players like the newly recalled Matthew Corrente of the New Jersey Devils. Usually I loathe praising a Devil, as there is only one team for which I hold more contempt than New Jersey, but this kid Corrente is my kind of player. He’s had a few fights in the American League, and has been playing his game, so the call up is much deserved. Since his recall, he’s been eager to get in his first NHL fight, and he did so fighting Tim Jackman of the New York Islanders yesterday.

New Jersey had a 2-1 lead with a little over 4 minutes to play in the second when this tilt starts. I am not 100% sure what got it going because it was behind the play. I suspect it was Corrente recognizing a guy that would go was on the ice in Jackman, and Jackman knowing his role and the score obliged the rookie. It looks like Corrente lands some nice rights at the beginning of the scrap but as Jackman begins to get into the fight he starts pushing him against the glass. When he does so, he lands a very hard right hand right to Corrente’s eye socket. Um. That hurts. No other way to say it. Corrente keeps on his feet though, and tries to get some more in before the zebras get it separated. It looks like Corrente is talking after the fight. Probably just some thank yous and good go’s and so forth. In the end, I would call the fight a draw. Perhaps a slight advantage to Jackman for landing the really hard right, but Corrente showed up and got the first one out of the way without embarrassing himself.

Good on you Matt, keep up the good work. The NHL needs guys like this now more than ever. Fans, if you can sit through a Devils game, I suggest trying it. Ah, forget it, that just ain’t right. I’ll take the bullet for you here and let you know how the kid’s doing. Now you Goonblog readers all have something to be thankful for. You don’t have to watch the Devils.

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22 Is Keeping me off the Ledge

by Chris on November 19, 2009
in Cam Janssen, Chris, Eric Boulton, Goons, GoonSquad, Matt Carkner, Shawn Thornton

I am not going to turn this blog into on the ledge off the ledge dot com. The Bruins are frustrating right now, almost as frustrating as the fact I taped the Senators and Leafs game last night, and inexplicably when I went to watch it this morning, the recording was black. So, I missed the battle of Ontario, and from what I understand, it was a doozy. Figures. Anyway, I want to focus on a Bruins positive.

Shawn Thornton came to the Bruins fresh off winning the Stanley Cup with Anaheim 2 years ago. He was instantly my favorite Bruin, and after this season, he’s gaining more and more fans every day. So far this season he’s had 7 fights, tying him with 2 others for the 3rd most fights in the league. What I think has been so impressive about Thornton this season is not only is he fighting at the right times in games, he is smoking people to boot. Of the 7 fights he’s had, I would say only the fight he had in Ottawa with Goonblog favorite Matt Carkner (fighting leader in the NHL) was the only one in which he didn’t win. Steve Montador will think twice about going with him again. So will Andrew Alberts. Looking at the week upcoming, the Bruins have Atlanta (Eric Boulton) and Buffalo (Steve Montador, and Paul Gaustad. Two guys he’s already fought, and beat.) Next Week brings St. Louis (Cam Janssen, BJ Crombeen) and Minnesota (Sheriff Shane Hnidy) so it doesn’t get much easier.

Thornton’s balance looks good, and his anger is visible when he fights this season. He’s been devastating with his shake off the elbow pad, and then lower the boom move all year. I am not sure if he’s into the MMA stuff, or who he trained with this off season, but whatever he did, it’s working. Keep up the good work Shawn; you are the only one keeping a lot of fans on the bandwagon right now.

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