Shawn Thornton

The Future of the Hockey Enforcer

by Chris on November 7, 2022
in Uncategorized, Brendan Walsh, Goons, Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies

I get this question a lot these days, as friends and relatives are well aware of my proclivity for a good ol’ professional on-ice donnybrook. While I have strong opinions as to the best answer – the true future of the NHL hockey enforcer and the fights they once graced fans with – I don’t have to like it. And, frankly, I don’t.

Where Have All the Good Goons Gone?
On the ice, are there even any classic goons left? Gone are Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies, Brendan Walsh and most of the other Goonblog favorites from the site’s heyday. Replacing them are guys like Trent Frederic, Connor Clifton, and Zack Kassian.

The first three were the last of a dying breed of guys that were there to intimidate and keep the other team in line. The latter are all guys that are required to be able to take a regular shift, especially in Clifton and Freddy’s case. Times have changed dramatically over the last 10 years, and there’s not a lot any of us punters can do about it.

The last true enforcer out there, in my opinion, is Ryan Reaves. He’s been plying his trade since 2010 with the Blues – and is a man that truly embraces his role as an enforcer. Intimidating, scrapping, filling out checking lines and doing it all with apparent glee.

The Era of… Grappling? You’re Fuckin’ Kidding Me
Not only has fighting largely disappeared from hockey, but the way in which bouts are conducted is totally different. The days of Bob Probert standing in, going toe to toe trading rights and uppercuts in a Rock ‘em Sock ‘em homage have been over for a long time. It’s a rare thing to see a fight where guys are flat out trading punches. With rare exceptions (see the aforementioned Zack Kassian getting KO’d by the “WiFi” the other night) most of the fighting is in close and involves lots of grappling.

In fact, many of the guys that make a living dropping gloves these days are trained in common MMA techniques. It’s a totally different style, and I’m not sure how anyone that fights now would have fared in the wild west days when guys swung wildly and frequently just to stay in the league and were recruited only for that purpose. Tom Wilson, I’m looking at you.

Exit Staged Left
The staged fights are also largely gone. Does anyone remember the last time two guys came over the boards and the gloves were off before the puck even hit the ice? A lot of people don’t like those fights, especially in the league office, but we loved them. Admit it.

How I long for the days when two fourth liners would get something going because the team needed a lift. Or a Rob Ray gave young rookies like Todd Fedoruk a chance to make a name for himself by taking on established hockey enforcers. It’s just not done that way anymore. The game is played at such a high skill level there’s just not a lot of room for a one-dimensional player anymore.

I’m glad to be back behind my keyboard talking about hockey enforcers and fighting, regardless of how the latter has evolved. We always aim to entertain here at Goonblog, and I missed having a vehicle for my mostly nonsensical stream of “consciousness”.

Once we get our momentum back, keep your eyes peeled for some Goonblog merch, and we were way ahead of our time with the hockey podcast angle which may rear its head once again. Perhaps we can embrace some new media as well. Good to be back. Let’s drop the mitts and get at er!

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Quiet group hug for Savvy.

by Chris on September 25, 2010
in Brian McGrattan, Chris, Colton Orr, Goons, GoonSquad, Gregory Campbell, Milan Lucic, Shawn Thornton

When last we met, dear reader, I was asking for everyone’s help. Marc Savard was in dire need of a group hug from the Goonblog community, and I think he got it. Ready to move on with the season we gave Savvy his hug and went about our daily business. Well, now it seems you can give Savvy a hug, just make sure you talk quietly and meet him in a dark room. Savvy, it seems, will be out indefinitely after some Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms reared their ugly head before camp. It has to make me think these PCS annoyances are the reason Savard is still even in the black and gold.

I wish Marc Savard a speedy recovery, as I think the Bruins are a better club with him, than without. This injury does open the door for Tyler Seguin to start the season at his natural center position (potentially. He’s been playing wing with Recchasaurus, and Bergeron with success) and it most definitely leaves the door open a crack for Joe Colborne to make the club. I guess it’s a good problem to have when a club has too many young kids that can play ready and waiting when a veteran like Savard goes down eh?

The person I am most excited for, and hoping makes the club, is Brian McGrattan. I called for this signing in my Eastern Conference preview because the division is loaded for bear, and the Bruins should be too. Shawn Thornton has done an admirable job doing the heavy lifting fighting as a light heavy in the heavyweight division for a couple of seasons now. The Bruins are counting on Milan Lucic developing into a power forward that can police the ice when he has too, not being the second tough guy. Put it this way, while Milan is certainly a tough kid, I would prefer he not fight the likes of Colton Orr again. That’s why you sign a guy like McGrattan. I say keep him as the 13th forward, and any time they play in the division, he gets a nod on the 4th line with Gregory Campbell, and Shawn Thornton.

I am looking forward to the pre season tilt at the Garden tonight. I went to the first rookie game, and it was nice to be back in the building. The pre season tilts are always a good time, as I feel like a kid on Christmas with a new toy. Prague is a couple of weeks away, and I got MOL a new digital camera for our anniversary last week, so expect lots of pictures upon my return. Hockey is back!

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Eastern Conference Staying Gooney

by Chris on July 11, 2010
in Ben Eager, Chris, Chris Neil, Colton Orr, David Clarkson, Derek Boogaard, Eric Boulton, Eric Godard, Goons, GoonSquad, Jeremy Reich, Jody Shelley, Matt Carkner, Mike Rupp, Milan Lucic, Pierre-Luc LeBlond, Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies

The NHL free agency period has been open for 11 days now, and there has been some movement by teams looking to get tougher or stay tough that I have found interesting. Sure there are some serious players left unsigned, but I’d rather know where Derek Boogaard is playing over some guy named Kovulchuk any day. This was a big season for UFA tough guys, and so far, I have not been surprised or disappointed by the movement of these tough guys to date. I have been particularly excited by the moves in the Eastern Conference. Let’s take a look at how the rosters are shaping up.

In a nod to recently passed Bob Probert, I think it fitting the Atlantic Division be renamed the Bob Probert Division. Here is the breakdown by team. New additions are bold.

NJ-PL3, David Clarkson
PITT-Eric Godard, Mike Rupp
PHI- Jody Shelley
NYR- Derek Boogaard, Brandon Prust
NYI- Trevor Gillies, Zenon Konopka

Gee whiz – that is a lot of goonery. The Rangers and Islanders already don’t like each other, and those four names up there are not going to help the civility at all. Gillies probably wants a giant piece of the Boogeyman after Boogaard scrambled Trevor’s eggs in his first NHL game way back when Gillies was Anaheim property. I am sure those guys will tangle at least once. I am excited Jody Shelley is staying east too. I enjoyed his work with Columbus back in the day, but couldn’t follow him as much when he was dealt to the Sharks. Same with Derek Boogaard. It’s going to be awesome having him on the East Coast, and with Brandon Prust in New York as well, I will follow them closely. Prust is an exciting, scrappy middleweight that will fight up a division. He and Boston’s Shawn Thornton should match up well should Thornton not want a piece of the Boogeyman. The Islanders were one of my favorite clubs to watch last season on Center Ice, and looking at this division now, I will have them slated night in and night out as my Center Ice team.

One of Bob Probert’s biggest rivals, or at least a guy he fought a lot, was Craig Berube. I have renamed the Northeast Division the Craig Berube Division. Some good tough guys here and a message to Buffalo, and Montreal. Add some toughness. Quick.

OTT- Matt Carkner, Chris Neil
BOS- Shawn Thornton, Jeremy Reich
TOR- Colton Orr, Jay Rosehill

Boston welcomes back Jeremy Reich! The REEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIICHEEEEERRRR! Love it. He brings nice energy and a veteran presence to the dressing room in Providence if he goes down. Colton Orr and Matt Carkner had a well documented rivalry last season that shows no signs of slowing this season. Jay Rosehill had a great tilt with PL3 last season, and is a very big guy. Chris Neil might feel he owes Boston’s Milan Lucic one as well, but after the beating Lucic gave him last year, he may not want to go there. Speaking of Lucic and not wanting to go somewhere, I think he owes Colton Orr one after the fight he had last year. You remember the scarp? It was the one where Don Cherry was in the house and accused Lucic of quitting. I think Boston wins the division on team toughness on paper right now, but Toronto has it based on enforcer tough. Colton Orr, in my opinion is the reigning heavyweight champ in the NHL right now. I’m interested to see if anyone can take the belt this season.

The Southeast Division will be renamed the Andre Nazarov Division. They need to get tougher if they want to hang with the true heavies, but have enough experience to win some every now and then.

ATL- Eric Boulton, Ben Eager
CAR- Tim Gleason
TBL- Mitch Fritz

Atlanta should dominate the division physically, as they have been reaping the rewards of the Chicago Blackhawks fire sale and have gotten better, and tougher. Carolina never really has a tough guy on the roster, but Tim Gleason can do the heavy lifting if needed. Mitch Fritz may be the worst skating NHLer ever.

So there’s the Eastern Conference right now. On paper it looks to be a very exciting, and fight filled season. I called Comcast, and not only are they not taking Center Ice deposits right now, they suggested I might want to calm the fuck down. Looking forward to a great season of goonery galore!

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Boston. The new Whoville.

by Chris on June 23, 2010
in Chris, Florida Panthers, Goons, GoonSquad, Gregory Campbell, Mark Stuart, Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Shawn Thornton

It would appear Christmas has come roughly six months early this year for Boston Bruins fans! PC and the Crew (sounds like an early 90’s boy band) swung a lovely deal yesterday sending the poster boy for the Bruins woes, Dennis Wideman, the 15th overall pick this year, and another pick in 2011 to the Florida Panthers for 2003 3rd overall Nathan Horton, and Gregory Campbell. This is a little like trading a bag of cancer for a 19 year old huge hootered blonde that can fry a steak like a Texan. It’s a great trade for both clubs, and ironically enough, probably the first domino to fall in a series of deals for both clubs.

Why is this a great deal for both clubs? Glad you asked. Dennis Wideman needs a change of scenery worse than Whitey Bulger right now. He was consistently booed at home, and was the target of the best heckle I heard all year. A guy over my right shoulder had been screaming Wideman you suck! all game against the Rangers. Well, don’t you know, Wides scored the game tying goal, or game winner, I can’t remember. Either way, it was a big goal. As the arena is quieted and play is about to restart the guy screamed, Wideman! You still suck! He just couldn’t win for losing, and it affected his play. There were some really big gaffes on his part defensively, and that’s doubly bad because he’s not very good defensively, that cost the Bruins some goals at timely points in games. The guy’s confidence was totally shot, and you could see it in his body language.

I think the change of address will only help Wideman get his game back together. It’s gotta really suck getting constantly booed at home the way he did, and I don’t think he’ll find that in South Florida. I wish him nothing but the best, and I hope he can get his game back together.

What the Bruins got in return has me downright giddy. Nathan Horton is a prototypical Bruin. He’s rough and tumble, and would just as soon god through you, as around you. I have been a big fan of this kid since his arrival in the league, and I don’t buy his reputation as a guy that doesn’t give his all every shift. I have been impressed with him every time I’ve seen him play, and I think some of the alleged attitude issues may stem from the fact that the Panthers are constantly sucky. I’d have a hard time giving it my all every shift if I played for them too. What it really gives the Bruins, is a finisher to play with Savard that can put you in the 4th row if need be to retrieve a puck. Look at the potential first line, and tell me you aren’t as happy as a little girl.
Lucic-Savard-Horton
Really? How eager are opposing defensemen going to be to retrieve a puck when the Bruins start chip and chase with those two bearing down? I love it, and I think it gives them the swagger they need to play their best hockey.

Also coming over in the deal was Gregory Campbell. He’s Colin Campbell’s son, and a grinder that the Bruins need to sign. I hope he’s not a salary dump like the Eaves deal from Carolina last summer because I think he can really helps this club. It sets up a 4th line of:
Campbell-Sobotka-Thornton
Here I am, all giddy again. Thorton fights the heavies, Campbell the lightweights, middles, and light heavies. Lucic fights whoever he wants. It’s a great situation to be in, and the deal also frees Boston up to decide on Johnny Boychuk’s future with the club and Mark Stuart’s future as well. I would hope PC and the Crew could deal Wheeler and Ryder too, as they both found their way onto my shit list this past season too, but I may be asking too much there.

The bottom line is it looks like the Bruins brass is willing to look at themselves in the mirror and realize there is an issue. This deal changes the complexion of the team for the good, and hopefully they don’t totally fuck up the draft on Friday. Also, with free agency looming the week after, they need to keep their focus sharp and not do anything stupid. So far, so good.

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22 for 2

by Chris on June 19, 2010
in Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Shawn Thornton

Lost in the shuffle of me being a generally lazy person, being away, and the Stanley Cup Finals, I have been neglectful of this blog. With Milan and Miller laying on the floor panting, I thought now was as good a time as any to talk a bit about some good news out of the Boston Bruins. Sure, it’s 85 and sunny out. What a great time to sit inside and talk hockey!

A couple of weeks ago, the Boston Bruins signed fan favorite and resident tough guy, Shawn Thornton two a two year contract extension. I wasn’t sure the Bruins would resign Thornton because there are an awful lot of UFA tough guys out there this summer. By signing him though, they keep a very loyal soldier in the fold, as well as build some good will with a very angry fan base by keeping one of the most popular Bruins on the roster in the fold. Also, I think it’s great to have Thornton in the black and gold because despite the fact he’s a light heavyweight that fights in the heavyweight division, he takes on all comers, and doesn’t hurt you with the stupid penalties that a lot of enforcers like to take. Plus, when you need a good quote, he’s the guy to go to.

Nice work by the Boston front office keeping a guy that wants to be in Boston, in Boston. With the upcoming draft on Friday I am interested to see who #22 will be protecting in the near future. I am hearing some very disturbing rumors that I won’t get into now for fear of hurling on my computer. For now, let’s just concentrate on the positive enforcer news, and continue to pray the Bruins don’t manage to screw up the draft too bad next Friday!

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Goonblog Bringing the Noise

by Chris on May 3, 2010
in 2010 Playoffs, Chris, Dave, Goons, GoonSquad, Shawn Thornton, The Hammer, The Ref

As I sit here in the office, in what feels like 95% humidity regarding the storm clouds threatening rain and looking at the Scarlet Tanager in my back yard, I can only think of one thing. Hockey. Granted that can be said of pretty much everything I do, but today as I sit and enjoy my day off, I have hockey and metaphors on the brain.

The lack of physical play from the Flyers on Saturday kind of surprised me, and much like the threatening clouds outside, I think there will be a storm inside the Garden tonight like none of have seen in a while. Forget for a second that most of the Goonblog staff will be on hand for said event, that is a storm of a different kind, and let’s focus on the two teams on the ice for a moment.

This is a series that harkens back to the roots of Old Time Hockey. The orange and black of the Broad Street Bullies, vs. the black and gold of the Big Bad Bruins. There is a lot of bad blood between these two clubs, and I expected more of a physical tilt on Saturday. What we got instead, was an up and down affair in which the Bruins won a thriller in OT from the stick of Marc Savard. An ending that could have easily been a pitch for a new Disney movie about a plucky young group of hockey players that refuses to go down without a fight. It was a great game to be sure, but the feeling was it shouldn’t have gotten that far, and there was just enough of a physical snarl to it to set up a real slugfest in tonight’s pivotal game 2.

Saturday was not totally without a physical element. Mark Recchi, the Recchasaurus as it were, had his helmet knocked off twice. There were plenty of hits, and plenty of dirty looks, I just expected more scrums after the whistle, and maybe even a fight. Perhaps the flow of the game had something to do with it. Tuukka seemed content to stop play whenever he could, and when the game did get going, Philadelphia spent a good deal of the game trying to claw their way back in. Boston on the other hand, did indeed follow a good bit of their blueprint for success, and got in on the fore-check when they could. Like I said, it wasn’t a bad game, or a non physical game, I just expected a bit more snarl.

Tonight should be a horse of a different color to be sure. For starters, the Goonblog Staff is taking a field trip, so it’s gotta at least be a cool spot to be eh? Secondly, I think Philly may feel like they let one slip away on Saturday, both on the scoreboard, and on the penalty sheet. Thirdly, and this could be the most important, I expect the return of Shawn Thornton tonight. With the Marco Sturm injury, that re-opens a spot for Thornton, and it may give the Flyers an incentive to gain a competitive advantage by starting a fight with the seasoned Boston enforcer. It should be a great tilt tonight in Boston. If you are looking for the Goonblog team, just follow the noise. I’m sure we’ll be around there somewhere.

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Not Blaming the Bruins

by Chris on March 20, 2010
in Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Matt Cooke, Pittsburgh Penguins, Shawn Thornton

For those of you not in the Boston or Pittsburgh area, or may have been off planet under a rock with your fingers in your ears and your eyes shut, the big rematch between the Penguins and the Bruins happened on Thursday. I am thankful it is over, as I can stop listening to dipshit sports radio hosts that know zero about hockey spouting off about running Crosby, and brawling with anyone and everyone in a Pittsburgh uniform. Along those lines, I’d like to apologize to the Pittsburgh sports radio guy that Mike Felger called on Thursday afternoon. The Pittsburgh guy handled himself well. Mike Felger on the other hand, was embarrassing to the level it made me wish humans ate their young. Thankfully the calls from every season ticket holder (allegedly) claiming if they don’t do anything they aren’t renewing have stopped. For this week anyway. So, I am a season ticket holder, and I already renewed. Why? Because I love the Boston Bruins, and hockey, and I am not turning my back on my favorite team because they are having a bad, no check that, mind bendingly bad, a monumentally frustrating season. A season so dreadful, that even sports radio is getting involved.

Typical Boston. If I may slander my own environment, we used to be the lovable losers. 86 years of futility for the Red Sox. The Patriots SUCKED for most of their existence. 5 Titles between them since 2001, and suddenly, no one can have a bad year. Sure the Bruins were supposed to be much better this season. After the year they had last year, I thought they were going to make a very serious run at the cup this year. It hasn’t happened for several reasons.

1. They faced almost zero adversity last year. With the exception of Marco Sturm being hurt all season (oh and as an aside, he’s not hurt this year. Didn’t hear his name ONCE Thursday. Invisible most of the year) they had the same group of guys, and they were firing on all cylinders all year.

2. The players that have played have not played to their potential. I’ll start with the award winners.

a. Zdeno Chara: 2009 Norris Trophy Winner. Chara is at his worst when he is forced to play too many minutes. Due to the fact Dennis Wideman’s game has totally gone to shit, Ference has been hurt, Morris sucked, Hunwick has regressed slightly, and Johnny Boychuk is a rookie, it has forced Chara to play more minutes than he should. Couple that with the dislocated finger he’s had all year, and he has been ineffective all year.

b. Tim Thomas: 2009 Vezina Winner: He has zero goal support, but has also given up a ton of really soft goals at the most inopportune times. I am not 100% sure what he’s thinking of, but it sure isn’t hockey.

c. Milan Lucic: Hurt. All year. Ineffective when he can’t crash and bang.

d. Michael Ryder: You know that Cindy Lauper song, True Colors? Well, that’s Ryder’s theme song. Wanted to overachieve last year to show people in Montreal they made a mistake in benching him, and not resigning him. This year, true colors shining through. Stuck on the perimeter seemingly very bored.

e. David Krecji: Coming on a little now, but needs to come on faster.

f. Marco Sturm: Favorite show is Where in the World is Carmen San Diego. Favorite book? Where’s Waldo. Favorite movie? Memoirs of an Invisible Man. For most of the year, he’s been totally invisible.

g. Dennis Wideman: Sucks.

h. Blake Wheeler: Totally surprised by the fact he has 15 goals this year.

I could go on and on. I think you get the point. I think Mark Recchi, Patrice Bergeron, and Shawn Thornton are the only three Bruins that have played to their potential all season. Can’t have that and be successful.

Bottom line why they haven’t played well all year? They just don’t like each other. Plain and simple. Shawn Thornton went out and did his job Thursday by fighting Matt Cooke. I like how Cooke knew he had to do it, and did what had to be done. I would have preferred he take his helmet off, but 22 took care of it, and took care of him with a very nice hard right hand. I have no problem with him getting the extra 10 for continuing to throw after Cooke was down. He broke the code, but Cooke had to pay. This is where the nitwits that spent the whole week frothing at the mouth get lost. It’s over and done with after Thornton fights Cooke. This isn’t the 70’s anymore. No Bench clearing brawls. No stick swinging. Thornton did his job well, and Cooke answered the bell. Over. Done. Play some hockey.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Boston played very well in the first. They hit a couple of posts, and they had the fight. The tempo was upbeat, and they were hitting. Usually when the Bruins play like that, it is their blueprint for success. They gave up a goal and were down 1-0 going into the first break. Does a team that likes each other come out and play the way the Bruins did in the second period the other night? Not on your life. Someone in that room probably said in a non believable tone, C’mon guys, let’s get one here..inset clichÃ© here.. If they liked each other, nothing would need to be said. It would be known. There is no fucking way we are losing this game tonight, and if we do lose, it will not be without a fight. Instead, the Bruins came out with zero urgency, and lost a really shitty game.

So, it’s over and done with. Boston is left with 15 or so games on the schedule. I am guessing they will make the playoffs, and probably lose in the first round. I would love to see them go farther if only to hear the same nitwits that gave up on this team a long time ago come back out of the woodwork to claim they never gave up and so forth, but I just don’t see it happening. My guess is, they will lose in the first round, spend the summer making some moves to improve the club. Give Claude about 20 games next year to see if the problem is him (which I don’t think it is. You can’t coach chemistry) and if they get off to a slow start axe him. For a season that started with so much promise, it sure hasn’t been much fun.

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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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