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Hockey fight blog with humorous, blow-by-blow commentary on goons, enforcers and donnybrooks

Hockey fight blog with humorous, blow-by-blow commentary on goons, enforcers and donnybrooks.

Shawn Thornton

22 Is Keeping me off the Ledge


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.
{ 8 Comments }

Ledge is all yours Carolina


in Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Mark Stuart, Pittsburgh Penguins, Shawn Thornton

I’m not sure if it’s because all the Carolina fans are jumping off the ledge, and any that haven’t jumped yet are thinking about it now that Cam Ward is hurt, but I see a lot of Bruins fans coming in off the ledge. I wrote earlier in the week about what they need to get done. Saturday night, they did 2 of the three things. Amazing what happens when the Power Play is working, and playing with a truculent attitude eh? Looks like the blue print for success moving forward.

While it wasn’t exactly a knock down, drag em out affair, it was markedly more physical of a game last night. Shawn Thornton had 2 fights, and Mark Stuart had enough of net crashing late in the third. Unfortunately for Jochen Hecht, he was the target of Stuart’s frustration. Stuart has been physical all year, and I love his ability to fight. He is a very tough kid, and the rest of the league should take notice. If you are going to take liberties on the ice, you may have to deal with Mark Stuart.

steve-montador

Stuart’s fight was very one sided, as was the fight Thornton had with former Bruin Steve Step Brother Montador. Has anyone ever seen Steve Montador, and Will Ferrell in the same room? Anyway, I did not see what started the Thornton and Paul Gaustad fight, but to say Thornton was heated after the tilt is a gross understatement. He was yelling at him louder and with more animation than the bartender of the Makaha after refusing me service on my 6th Mai Tai and my subsequent refusal to go quietly into the night a couple of years ago. The point being, Boston was not pushed around last night, and when they play that way they are tough to beat.

Another good sign was the two PP goals scored by the Black and Gold. Mark Recchi got the party started in typical Wrecking Ball fashion with a trademark tip in while parked in front of the net goal in the first period. Later, Zdeno Chara got off the snide with a blast from the point that went in off a Buffalo defender. It was kind of a greasy goal, but it’s the kind of goal the Bruins weren’t getting a week ago. The bounces just weren’t going their way, and after last night’s game, it appears their luck may have changed.

I’ll give you the fact Buffalo played a goaltender that was making his NHL debut and was giving up rebounds bigger than he should have been, but it’s the fact Boston was putting themselves in the position to exploit said goaltender, and rebounds. Not two weeks ago, they made Yann Danis look like Terry fucking Sawchuk, and they put 98% of the shots on Carey Price the other night in the stupid CH logo on his butt smoking chest. After not giving up Thursday, and playing the kind of Bruins hockey that has made them successful last night, I am ready to say they may have turned the corner on the season, and are pointed in the right direction. With defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh in town Tuesday (riding a 2 game losing streak in which they have given up 10 goals while scoring 2) and playing in Pittsburgh next Saturday, we Bruins fans should get a good reading on where exactly this team stands. In the meantime, Carolina fans, there is plenty of room out on the ledge. I’ll leave the window open.

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I Smoked Pot with Charlie Dickens


in Andrew Alberts, Carolina Hurricanes, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Jay Harrison, John Erskine, Milan Lucic, MOL, Shawn Thornton, Washington Capitals
If I may borrow a bit of old Charlie Dickens, this weekend was like the beginning of A tale of Two Cities, It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. I don’t want to get overly dramatic here, but it really was the best and worst of the Boston Bruins on opening weekend. I will start at the worst of times. On Thursday the Bruins opened against The Washington Capitals. I had friends up from DC for the tilt, and to say they were excited is a gross understatement. You know my Math book? Picture that times ten. So, Ginger, Cindy and I met in Boston around 2 O’clock and went to Porter’s across from the Garden. We had a lot of laughs, and good natured teasing back and forth all day about who was going to win. As other patrons filed in, they joined in, and the fun continued right on into the Garden. Then, after about 10 minutes in, it stopped. At least for me. The only thing more documented here on Goonblog than my need for a math book when excited, is my ability to always be seated next to, or very near, That Guy. It is said, I have even been That Guy before, but that is here nor there. Thursday evening was no different as we definitely found TG early. From the second they sat down, I knew we were in trouble. For starters, neither guy could heckle. I pride myself on being able to provide a very well timed (albeit often times inappropriate) heckle, and these guys didn’t have it. They were yelling stupid things at people that weren’t even on the ice for starters, and while they were loud, they were very unfunny. A good heckle needs to give the rest of the people around you a good chuckle I feel, and these guys were making me anything other than chuckley. Furious is more like it. Neither nit wit knew the game either. They spent a good 20 minutes arguing over Blake Wheeler, and if he was a rookie or not. No, no he’s not. Both claimed to play in hockey leagues, which I find slightly more believable than me having to leave MOL because Jenny McCarthy has threatened to kill herself if I didn’t become her man. Anyway, they were awful, and should be ashamed of themselves. As for the Bruins? Well, they played well for 10 minutes as a group. After that, the only persons that stood out were newcomers Steve Begin (who had better look out for MOL before starting his car. FURIOUS he is wearing 27. She has a thing for Glenn Murray. What can I say?) Derek Morris (whom that guys refused to believe was a New York Ranger) and Patrice Bergeron. Other than that, they played like a group that was not sure about the schedule, and when the regular season actually started. I would like to say as well, the Washington Capitals are no joke. They came out firing on all cylinders. They are dangerous enough when their opponent is playing at their level. When they play a team playing like the Bruins were the other night, you get the 4-1 result. No need to panic Bruins fans. Saturday, on the other hand, is what Bruins fans should expect from the Boston Bruins this season. When they play the old Lunch pail AC style, they are arguably the toughest team in the NHL to play against. They got on Cam Ward early and often, and gave Carolina no room all night. I was very surprised it took as long as it did for Carolina to fight back, but after seeing the ill advised fight Jay Harrison had with Milan Lucic, and the beating Andrew Alberts took at the hands of Shawn Thornton, I can see why they were reluctant to get physical with Boston. Kudos to Harrison and Alberts for fighting, especially Harrison. Despite being bloodied by Milan Lucic, he landed a couple of very hard right hands himself. The trouble is punching Lucic in the face is probably similar to punching a block of stone. Shawn Thornton again had a very impressive tilt against Andrew Alberts. After another very good bout against John Erskine Thursday, he laid a beating on former Bruin Andrew Alberts that Alberts won’t soon forget. Or maybe he will after that many shots to the mind eh? I could tell as soon as 22 stepped on the ice, he had no intention of playing hockey. He made a B-Line for Alberts, and made him answer the bell for roughing up Marc Savard at the end of the second. Alberts obliged, and Thornton used his face as a punching bag. This fight was as one sided as could be, as it appeared Alberts really didn’t want to fight Shawn Thornton. I give him props though as the code dictates he needs to answer for the Savard thrashing. As they were being separated, it looked like Alberts said something to the effect of, you had to do it to Thornton. I think this is going to be a career year for Shawn Thornton, and I am excited for this Thursday as his former club is in town. Saturday was the kind of win that brings a club together. Reader Greg made an excellent point about how Saturday’s game was reminiscent of the Dallas tilt last season. That Dallas tilt brought that club together after they beat the Stars in the alley, and on the score board. I think this Saturday’s game was the same thing. I think the rest of the NHL should be wary of the new Lunch pail AC.
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Wake up Fans


in Chris, GoonSquad, Matt Bradley, Milan Lucic, Shawn Thornton, Washington Capitals
In about 11 hours, the hibernation ends. That’s right; the beloved Boston Bruins are skating back onto the ice tonight at 7 PM against the dreaded Washington Capitals. Boston and Washington will both come into tonight’s opener with the weight of huge expectations on their shoulders after both lost out in the second round of the playoffs last season. That is the past; I am in need of the old math book right now, as it’s finally here! Hockey season is FINALLY here! Tonight should be a dandy. Ginger and Cindy are winging their way in from Washington right now, and I will be meeting them at the Garden at 2ish. MOL will follow at 4ish, then the group will be complete, and the mischief can begin. Two seasons ago, MOL and I visited our Nation’s Capitol and took in a Caps game against Atlanta with Ginger and Cindy. It was a lovely time, except for Ginger spilling a whole giant beer on herself! Tonight will be a night of good natured ribbing, and a great hockey game. The Capitals have a couple of guys that can go. Gone is Donald Brashear, but Matt Bradley, and John Erskine are still on the roster. Milan Lucic gave Bradley a sound beating two seasons ago right off the opening faceoff as pay back for Washington soundly thrashing the Bruins like 10-1 or something earlier in the week. Lucic has also lost to Erskine, so those two could hook up again. Shawn Thornton has looked more than willing to drop em in the pre season as well, so look for him to get in the mix too. I know I say this a lot, but I am as giddy as a little girl right now! Go Bruins!
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Getting Closer


in Brian McGrattan, Chris, Chris Nilan, Colton Orr, Darcy Hordichuk, Deon Phaneuf, Goons, GoonSquad, Mike Komisarek, Milan Lucic, Scott Walker, Shawn Thornton, Tom Kostopoulos
It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here! The NHL announced the schedule for the 2009-2010 NHL season last Wednesday, and I for one, am more excited than Chris Nilan walking into the men’s swimsuit section to find the guard off getting a sandwich. I have gone over the schedule, and chosen a couple of games I am the most excited for. Thursday October 1. Washington Capitals: Opening night. Finally the stupid summer is over. Saturday October 3. Carolina Hurricanes: Honestly, I am probably more excited for this game than any other on the schedule. I love the fact the Bruins won’t have to wait long to exact revenge on the Hurricanes, and more specifically, Scott Walker. It’s time to answer the bell. Carolina also signed Tom Kostopoulos who was one of the chief punks on the Canadiens last year. He’s one of the dirtiest players in the league in my opinion. This game has the chance to get very ugly. Saturday October 10. NY Islanders: Our first look at John Tavares in an Islanders uniform. I am interested to see if his skating is Glen Murray Bad or if it’s just NHL bad. Thursday November 5. Montreal. I can’t believe they don’t play these guys until November. I am eagerly awaiting Hal Gill stepping out on the ice to a chorus of boos like he’s never heard before. Oh, and I hate the Canadiens. Saturday December 5. Toronto Maple Leafs. Speaking of bell answering. Mike Komisarek, it toll for thee. Milan owes you one big time, and I hope he drops you like a bad habit. I am also looking forward to Colton Orr and Shawn Thornton having a go. Friday January 1. Philadelphia Flyers. This once in a lifetime event is the talk of the town right now. To say this is going to be the toughest ticket to get is the understatement of the year. Season ticket holders are guaranteed the right to buy seats for as many as you own at the Garden (so if you have 2 seats at the Garden, you can buy 2 seats at Fenway) at a price point to be determined later. I would love to get out on the Monster, or up in the Pavilion, and would expect to pay at least $500 for the right to do so. Am I paying that? Hell yes. Don’t tell MOL. Saturday February 6. Vancouver. The annual game I take my brother too. I hope Darcy Hordichuk plays, and goes completely mental. Oh, the Baby Faced Enforcer Shane O’Brien will be in the barn as well. Good times. Saturday March 27. Calgary. Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, and Brian McGrattan all in the building at the same time? Are you kidding?! Remember the dudes head at the end of Scanners? That could be me. Saturday April 10. Carolina. Finishing it off pretty much right where they started. I hope there is a ton of bad blood between these two teams all year, and I’d love to see it boil over at the last home game of the year before the playoffs start. So, there you have my important dates. If Boston plays the crash and bang style they played most of last season, and no one gets hurt at the Olympics, they should have a shot to be one of the best in the league next season. Fire up the Zamboni, it’s almost time to make ice!
{ 4 Comments }

Will Work for Cake


in Brandon Sugden, Brian McGrattan, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Jon Mirasty, Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies
Typically when the NHL free agent period begins teams load up on the guys that help them win by scoring, stopping, or defending. Then as the period goes on, they load up on guys that protect the scorers, stoppers, and defenders by signing the beloved tough guys. These guys are every bit as important to the mix that makes a successful team. Think eggs in a cake mix. Sure, you can make a cake without it, but isn’t it more delicious and moist with eggs? Um. I think I want cake. The exception to the rule was of course proved by the Boston Bruins a few years ago. They signed PJ Stock on July 1, and later in the year, sent him to Providence, then loaned him to Philadelphia of the AHL where he sustained an eye injury, and never played again. Nice work assholes. Point being, we are approaching the time now when teams will start loading up on the eggs. Calgary got into the mix this weekend by adding Brian McGrattan to their roster. McGrattan played only 5 games last year after entering the NHL’s substance abuse program. I am happy to see Calgary give this very capable tough guy another shot in the NHL. McGrattan has a huge block head, and in my opinion, is one very tough customer. I have included a fight between McGrattan, and Boston tough guy Shawn Thornton from their AHL days. A decent tilt indeed. There are some very capable enforcers out there to be signed. Trevor Gillies, Jon Mirasty, and Brandon Sugden are all looking for work. Gillies almost made the Hurricanes out of camp last year, but hasn’t played since getting his eggs scrambled in a December 20th fight against Paul Bissonnette. It was the ice that got the better of him, and not any punches thrown his way. Sugden was with Hartford last year, and Mirasty is a long time Syracuse Crunch fan favorite. I’m hoping they all find work, and selfishly, hope it’s within an hour’s drive of me. I’ll take Worcester, Providence, and Manchester please. Oh, and a cake.
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Free Agent Frenzy


in Chris, Colton Orr, David Koci, Goons, GoonSquad, Hal Gill, Jeremy Reich, Mike Komisarek, Mike Rupp, Milan Lucic, Pierre-Luc LeBlond, Riley Cote, Shane Hnidy, Shawn Thornton
I hope everyone is having a very Happy 4th of July, and Happy (belated) Canada Day to all the Goonsqud in the Great White North. So far free agency has been open for a couple of days. What has developed has been a new GM putting his mark on a franchise, another two or three reasons to hate the Canadiens (as if any were needed); Boston fixed some problems on defense by not signing two guys, and a lot of tough guys switching uniforms. Let’s take them in order shall we? One hour and thirteen minutes into free agency is exactly how long it took Toronto GM Brian Burke to make the Leafs a Brian Burke team. The Leafs are looking to get tougher, and they are doing so by adding Colton Orr for 4 years, at 1 million per season. Having Orr in the blue and white should make the six times Boston plays them next season watchable at least. Shawn Thornton of the Bruins was originally drafted by the Buds, and he’s on record having said he tries to play extra hard against Toronto to prove them wrong. I’m giddy. I’d stand upright now, but I don’t have a math book with me. A few hours after adding Colton Orr, Toronto signed defenseman Mike Komisarek. Komisarek, you will remember, is off Milan Lucic’s Christmas card list, after cross checking the burly winger at the end of game 4. It was a move out of frustration that he will certainly have to answer for when the 2009-10 season emerges from its summer off. The question is, after asking Milan to go in the very same game 4 he was obliged by a one punch to the mind administered by young Lucic after he asked Komisarek if he really wanted to do this, will he answer the bell that most certainly will toll for thee? Where the hell is my math book!? Hal Gill is a Canadien. I will say it again. Hal Gill is a Canadien. Having Goonblog’s least favorite son don a Habs jersey should be enough to get the blood at a boil, and the hatred to a nice simmer, but those frog pussies go and add Scott Gomez via trade, and sign Brian Gionta. In the hockey pecking order of disliked teams, it goes, Montreal in first, New Jersey a close second. I don’t really need any more reasons to dislike the Habs, but I just gave myself three. Good luck in Montreal, Hal. You suck. It looks like the organization might be willing to give Eddie Shore Winner Johnny Boychuk a legitimate shot to make the big club this season, as Steve Montador, and Sheriff Shane Hnidy were both allowed to sign elsewhere this past week. Both Boston blue liners played poorly in the playoffs, and essentially are the same exact player anyway, so both were allowed to leave. I like what Hnidy brings to the ice and the room from a leadership standpoint. He’s a cagy veteran that is willing to stand up for a teammate at anytime, and that’s my kind of player. Same with Monty. He dropped em a couple of times for the black and gold, but they need an upgrade on defense, so they are allowed to walk. I certainly wish both guys the best of luck this season in Minnesota, and Buffalo. This leaves Boston in need of at least one more defenseman. Could they still be trying to swing a trade for Kessel to TO for Kaberle? Stay tuned. Finally, some tough guys are on the move. We spoke of Colton Orr trading in Ranger red, white, and blue, for the blue and white in TO; there have been some other notable goon signings. It looks as if Donald Brashear will be counted on to fill Orr’s spot in New York signing with the Rangers for 2 years at 1.4 million a year. Ian Lapierriere will be looking to stir it up in Philadelphia with Riley Cote for the next three seasons. That is one agitating pair there. Mike Rupp is the new Sheriff in Pittsburgh tasked with protecting Crosby and the like. He was allowed to walk after New Jersey signed PL3 earlier this off season. Speaking of filling roles, David Crazy Eyes Koci will be taking Lapierriere’s role in Colorado after singing on for 575K. He played for about half the league last year, so look for him to wind up elsewhere at the end of the year. Finally, I’d be remiss if we didn’t say a good Goonblog farewell to The Reicher Jeremy Reich. Jeremy signed with the Islanders, and has a legitimate shot to crack their roster next season. Had it not been for Blake Wheeler coming out of nowhere this season, Reich could very well have been with Boston all season. He took the demotion like a man, and Captained the Baby Bruins to a very fine season indeed. Good luck Reicher, we’re pulling for ya!
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New Dog, New Series


in Chris, GoonSquad, Milan Lucic, PJ Stock, Shawn Thornton

I’ve had a lot on my mind since the Boston Bruins vanquished the Montreal Canadiens in four games, but I just haven’t been calm enough to write it down. I started to about 10 times, but I got so furious I had to stop. The first round really angered me, and I’m glad it only lasted four games because I would not have made it. I will give you two quick notes about the series, and then we will move on.

1. For the most part, I’m sure Canadiens fans are probably decent, hardworking people that happen to really love hockey. Maybe I don’t understand the culture in Montreal. Maybe I’m fucked up, but to boo the US Anthem, when we show yours nothing but respect? Well that’s something I just won’t tolerate anymore. There were a couple of guys in my section at the two homes games that tried to boo the Canadian Anthem, and they were told in no uncertain terms to cease and desist. They were kids and they were drunk, but when told to stop, they did. The chorus of boos before game 3, and then even the smattering of boos in game 4 left me sad, and angry. Oh, and another thing, we stand respectfully for your anthem, in fact I sing along. Why not? It’s a beautiful song. When ours is playing in our building stop speaking, or moving, or yelling Go Habs, GO! We went over this last year, and apparently, no one got the message.

2. I will take Sean Avery over Tom Kostopouls any day of the week. Avery is a punk and a shit disturber. TK is a punk, and has no respect for the game and is going to kill someone. He and that piece of shit Mike Komisarek can go fuck themselves. They are real brave when the linesmen have them all wrapped up after they started some shit. Komisarek should get at least a 1 game suspension for the cross check he put on Milan Lucic at the end of game four. That was classic attempt to injure. He probably won’t though.

Anyway, the Habs are done, and I am psyched. In even better news, the Bruins found out their next opponent will be the artists formerly know as the Hartford Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes. Nice job by Eric Staal and the boys getting by the Great Marty Brodeur with two tallies in the last 1:20 last night. I am almost as glad the Devils are out as I am the Canadiens are out. Screw them both I say. I like Boston to win this in 5. I see them dropping game 3 in Hartford, er, Raleigh, and that’s it.

Finally tonight, I’d like to introduce the newest member of the Goonsquad. MOL has been pestering me to get a playmate for Milan Lucic since we brought her home, and she finally got her way about a month ago. As per the rules, she gets the dog, I get to name him.


The finalists were:

  • Shawn Thornton
  • Officer Brendan Walsh
  • Jay The Killer Miller
  • Dennis Bonvie
  • PJ Stock

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present, Mr. Jay The Killer Miller!

DSC02522

Jay The Killer Miller had 868 penalty minutes in 216 games for the Boston Bruins over 3 and a half seasons. He racked up 304 PIM in 78 games for the Bruins during the 1987-1988 campaign. Last night I assessed him a game misconduct for barking at 2:30 in the morning. He is a good dog, and Milan loves her little brother. Look at him.he could snap at any minute! Enjoy the games boys, and go Bruins.

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Call off the Search. It’s Hockey Week in Acton!


in AHL, Anaheim Ducks, Brad Staubitz, Brodie Dupont, Byron Bitz, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris, Dallas Stars, David Koci, Florida Panthers, Gary Roberts, George Parros, Goons, GoonSquad, Hartford WolfPack, Jared Nightingale, Los Angeles Kings, Lowell Devils, Mark Stewart, Matthew Corrente, Mike Brown, Milan Lucic, Milan Lucic (the dog), MOL, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Old Time Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pierre-Luc LeBlond, Sean Avery, Shawn Thornton, Sheldon Brookbank, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, Worcester Sharks, Zdeno Chara
What would you believe as a plausible answer for where I have been since my last post? 1. On a whirlwind hockey adventure in which I saw parts of 12 games? 2. Starring as Kenickie in a production of Grease on Ice? 3. Drunk in a bar? 4. Jail? 5. Getting drunk in a bar, after being released from Jail? Which one was the least believable? Number 2? Yeah I thought so too. If you guessed number 1, you are absolutely correct. Hockey Week in Acton has become as grand a tradition as Hockey Day in Canada. They usually coincide with each other as luck would have it. My Hockey Week in Acton began last Friday night in Lowell in which I saw kind of a weird fight, and finished up last night at the Hub of Hockey with a real Old Time Hockey type game against the Ducks. Truthfully, it’s still going on as MOL is out, Milan is chewing my shoe, and the Habs are losing 2-0 to the Flyers. For the sake of this post, it ended last night. Friday February 20th: Hartford at Lowell. You would think with Sean Avery in town there would be a buzz in the building eh? I guess you’d actually need people in the building for that. Avery behaved himself, and only took a 2 minute penalty for something. Hooking maybe? Either way, he seemed pretty content (Habs scored, 2-1 Philly. I hate both these teams) to just play some hockey, and ignore some pretty creative signs. My favorite was the one with Rachel Hunter (FUCK 2-2. Good time for a fight) and Elisha Cuthbert on both side, and the words, Sorry Sean, these girls only date NHL players. Pretty darn funny. PL3 did ask him to go once, but he ignored him like he wasn’t even there. Speaking of fights (DAMMIT 3-2 Habs), there was kind of a weird fight in this game. After drilling Hartford’s Brodie Dupont, Lowell’s Matthew Corrente was engaged with Hartford’s Jared Nightingale. The two dropped mitts and were about to square off when Dupont took decided he was going to do his own dirty work and fight his own battles. He dropped his gloves and went right after Corrente. Nightingale just kind of stood there and picked up his gloves as the other guys had at it. Very weird indeed. Not sure how Dupont didn’t get a third man in call, as Nightingale and Corrente were clearly engaged, but whatever. OK little scrap. I like Corrente a lot. He is afraid of no one, and is a good little hockey player to boot. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the black and gold some day. Hockey Day in Canada. Saturday February 21st. Started with Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, ended with Nashville at St. Louis with stops in LA, Dallas, and Florida. I saw most of the Penguins game, except I missed the fight. The third period of the Dallas game, all of the LA game, all of the Bruins game, and the third period in St. Louis. I missed the fight in Philly due to a lunch break and the fight in the LA game because Milan had to poop. MOL was sick and asleep on the couch, so I parked it and flipped around. It was a superb way to spend a Saturday. I heard a couple of Edwardsisms all around the NHL. Obviously they were all over the Bruins game, but I heard two layers of defense and a few half boards. I am forgetting one. George, help me out here. Sunday February 21st. First period of Pittsburgh at Washington. Worcester at Lowell. Third period of Boston at Tampa Bay. Lowell lost in a game best described as zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and Boston sucked in Tampa. Mark Stuart got beaten so badly coming out of the corner on Tampa’s 4th goal, I’m not sure his jock strap made the trip back to Boston. I just missed Shawn Thornton’s fight with David Koci in between periods, and I saw the replay of Stuart’s tussle with Gary Roberts. Needless to say, after the Bruins trip, I was concerned about the game against Florida Tuesday night. Monday February 22nd. San Jose at Dallas. I could only muster the first period of this one, as MOL was kind enough to pass her cold onto me, and Milan and I could barely keep out eyes open. At the first intermission I asked her if she wanted to go to bed. She barked twice for yes. Then we went to bed, and she decided to bark at shadows in the bedroom for 30 minutes. Not good times. She is cute, but like her daddy, not bright. Tuesday February 24th. Florida at Boston. This one found George and me in the Hub of Hockey and Hungry for Hockey. Like I said, there was great concern heading into this one. Good thing for us, and all the Bruins faithful (by the way, still plenty of room on the bandwagon) at the Garden. We were all hoping for the team we saw in November and dreading seeing the one we saw as of late. Luckily, they gave us the Marty McFly treatment and went back in time to the November club. Just a dominant performance by the boys, featuring a scrappy Nick Kobasew getting into it with Keith Ballard. He is playing like a man that doesn’t want to be dealt. The star of the evening was Byron Bitz. He chipped in 2 goals and had the 17,000 faithful chanting his name for the trick. They tried to give him a chance at it by putting him out on the ice at the end of the game, but it wasn’t to be. Still, Bitzy has played very well, and I expect great things from him in seasons to come. I have been very impressed with him and I hope he kicks the shit out of Huggy Bear tomorrow. Wednesday February 25th. Lowell at Worcester. Yes, I willingly traveled to Worcester to see the Devils. What can I say? I’m sick. After some heavy apps. At Pizzeria Uno’s we settled into the DCU Center for what turned into a pretty interesting tilt. There were no fights on the night despite some serious chatter between PL3 and Worcester’s Brad Staubitz. Both clubs seemed pretty content to just play some hockey, and referee Terry Koharski seemed eager to get into his trusty green cooler of Bud Light as not a lot was called. Thursday February 26th. Anaheim at Boston. George and I were back at the Hub of Hockey, and obviously, Hungry for Hockey. 4 dogs, some cookies and 2 sodas. Not a bad haul. Anyway, the Bruins are back baby! Notice to the rest of the NHL: if attempting to intimidate the Boston Bruins, I might suggest a different strategy. I love the Ducks aggressive strategy, but I love it even more when the Bruins respond. It was a rough and tumble affair the featured 2 fights and one Marc Savard taking matters into his own hands in self defense. Oh, plus a 6-0 bloodletting by the hometown team. It all got started at 8:20 of the second period. After watching Princeton grad, former teammate, and resident tough guy, Yanni, er, George Parros flatten Marc Savard; Shawn Thornton went right over the boards despite it not being his shift to make big George pay for what he’d done. Thorts hopped over, and went right after Parros. They dropped mitts and had at it. Thornton did pretty well trying to get inside on the bigger Parros to take away the drastic reach advantage. It looked like a couple of shots were landed to the license plate on Parros, and Thornton got the takedown. (No points scored, and in MY NHL, would be an extra penalty for Thornton. The crowd loved it however, so I’ll move on.) Kudos to Thornton for doing his job, and reason number 7829 why I enjoy him so much. The fireworks continued at the 14:49 mark. There was a little battle for the puck in front of Anaheim’s goal, when Mike Brown decided to cross check Milan Lucic (not my dog. That would be crazy) and then sucker punch Gino. Naturally, Milan went right after Brown, and pummeled him down to the ice. Normally, I take issue with a fighter continuing to throw punches when the other combatant is down, but when you jump someone like Brownie did, all bets are off. Sheldon Brookbank got the gate for being the third man in whilst trying to remove Lucic from his teammate by force. Then everyone, except the Captain of the Bruins, came in to get in on the action. I will never understand why Chara feels the need to stay on the periphery of such eventsI guess I should stop expecting him to jump in on stuff like that, but in my mind, they should still be trying to separate him and Brookbank. Alas, the dust up was cleared. Gino went to his box in obvious pain, and anger, screaming at Brown the whole way. Brookbank was shown the door, and play resumed. It resumed, but it wasn’t long until Scott Niedermayer and Marc Savard were involved in a little tussle. While standing at the far blueline, Niedermayer took it upon himself to plant 3-4 cross checks on the small of Savvy’s back. Having just about enough of that behavior, Savard decided to do something about it. He engaged Niedermayer and both dropped the gloves. It doesn’t look like either guy threw any punches, or the old fart took Savvy down, landing on him. Both were given roughing minors, and Savard did not return. If I may, NIEDERMAYER! DEAD! I really can’t explain how cross I will be if Savard is out for an extended period of time. If Niedermayer is traded back to New Jersey as per one of the rumors I’ve heard, someone on the Bruins better go after him when they return to town next month. So, there it is. Despite learning all of Kinickie’s songs, and dance moves, I have been on a hockey binge that continues with a very good Flyers game right now, and will continue with the Blackhawks when this one is over. Then to Vancouver for the Tampa Bay matchup at 10. Really, does it get any better than spring hockey?
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Get it Now


in "Stone Cold" Steve McLaren, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Mike Brown, Mike Commodore, Shawn Thornton, Steve McLaren
Do yourself a favor, and pick up The Face of Toughness by Ken Babbitt. My copy arrived on Thursday night. As I ate leftover pizza Milan Lucic nipped at my toes, and I poured over the most fascinating 40 pages in literary history. The book is filled with some great fight photos, but it is the “candids” where Kenny really gives the boys the Dickie Dunn treatment. Not since the Chiefs’ brightly colored uniforms were flashing against the milky white ice, has the spirit of the thing been more captured. The photos tell the whole story as you can see many subjects are very battle worn, with more than a few fresh black eyes, and recently healed cuts and scrapes on full display. They are worn as a badge of honor by these guys, the ultimate in team sports. Along with the bumps and bruises we see the Cheshire cat smiles of guys getting under the skin, and truly enjoying it, of other guys. Shawn Thornton, one of my all time favorites to come through the building, is seen with a perpetual smirk on. Stone Cold Steve McLaren looks as if he is thoroughly enjoying being called the worst player in the league. There are a couple of great shots of Mike Brown, who I am pretty sure threatened Mike Commodore’s life. In a robot voice no less. Tazzer can check me if I am wrong, but I am sure he said between penalty boxes: Commodore. Commodore. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU! I do not want to ruin the whole book for you. I must be trusted on this one, pick it up. You will not be disappointed.
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