Cam Janssen and Arron Asham dropped the gloves for the fifth time in the NHL yesterday.  Like the other four, it was a good one and had the crowd roaring early in the game.  Philly wound up coming out on top, 2-1, in a shootout.

Added video from first fight to make sure we’ve got them covered in the logs:
Arron Asham vs Cam Janssen Feb 11, 2006 x2
Arron Asham vs Cam Janssen Nov 2, 2006
Cam Janssen vs Arron Asham Feb 17, 2007
Arron Asham vs Cam Janssen Jan 31, 2009

Eric Godard and Jody Shelley added to their own rivalry as well.  Last night was fight number four.  Like Janssen and Asham, they’ve had a great series so far.

Eric Godard vs Jody Shelley Nov 22, 2003
Jody Shelley vs Eric Godard Feb 2, 2007
Eric Godard vs Jody Shelley Oct 28, 2008

Shelley had a quick fight against Jay McKee earlier in the third period.

Matt Carkner continues to cement his NHL status.  Last night’s opponent was Andrew Peters.  They first fought 12 years ago in the OHL.

Shawn Thornton fought twice for the Bruins.  He took on both Steve Montador and Paul Gaustad.

Videos added

Andrew Peters vs Matt Carkner Nov 7, 2009
Eric Godard vs Jody Shelley Nov 7, 2009
Jay McKee vs Jody Shelley Nov 7, 2009
Michael Rupp vs Brad Staubitz Nov 7, 2009
Jochen Hecht vs Mark Stuart Nov 7, 2009
Paul Gaustad vs Shawn Thornton Nov 7, 2009
Cam Janssen vs Arron Asham Nov 7, 2009
Kenndal McArdle vs Matt Bradley Nov 7, 2009
Steve Montador vs Shawn Thornton Nov 7, 2009
Colin Fraser vs Matt Hendricks Nov 6, 2009
Tim Jackman vs David Clarkson Nov 6, 2009

Some reads

Consistency lacking in enforcement of instigator rule
Emery meshing well with Flyers
George Parros: My wedding and my moustache
Carrie Underwood gushes over Mike Fisher on Regis and Kelly
Smaby patiently waits for chance
A fusion of rink and ring

A relatively slow week so far.  Jared Boll was busy last night though.  Two fights for the Blue Jacket in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sharks.  Boll handled Kent Huskins easily in the first period.  I’m sure Boll had this on his mind before the game.  Brad Staubitz went after Boll in the second period.  The two grappled for quite a while before being broken up.

Byers suspended

Dane Byers was suspended for one game due to instigating a fight against Tanner Glass Tuesday night late in the Rangers game against the Canucks.

Videos added

Brad Staubitz vs Jared Boll Nov 4, 2009
Kent Huskins vs Jared Boll Nov 4, 2009
Chris Clark vs Rod Pelley Nov 4, 2009
Ian Laperriere vs Rick Rypien Dec 2, 2006
Dane Byers vs Tanner Glass Nov 3, 2009
Lukas Krajicek vs Niklas Hagman Nov 3, 2009
Raitis Ivanans vs Paul Bissonnette Nov 2, 2009
Jean-Francois Jacques vs Andy Sutton Nov 2, 2009
Zenon Konopka vs Arron Asham Nov 2, 2009

Some reads

Rick Tocchet demands intensity from Tampa Bay Lightning
Predators rookie finds NHL life tough
Boogaard grows game, not goal total
Patience is a virtue regarding young players

Sidney Crosby is starting to make this a habit.  For the third season in a row Crosby has dropped the gloves.  He was battling around the net with Marek Zidlicky before the two exchanged slashes, prompting the gloves to come off.  Zidlicky’s fought with about the same frequency as Crosby the past few seasons.  Sid had Zidlicky’s jersey up pretty fast, getting in a few punches as the linesmen wasted no time breaking it up.

Desert fight

The Coyotes and Ducks are probably in the opposite spots most expected in the standings.  Last night’s game between these two teams in Phoenix was played hard and chippy all the way through.  James Wisniewski laid a monster, if not questionable hit on Shane Doan in the first period.  Doan had a little trouble getting back to the bench and Keith Yandle stepped up for his teammate.  Just a minute into the second period, presumably with his head clearer, Doan took on Wisniewski himself.  Heavyweights George Parros and Paul Bissonnette also had a scrap in the first.

May’s status unknown

Brad May was high-sticked while on the bench last night.  He remained in Calgary for observation, but is scheduled to fly home today.  There’s no date for his return, but good to know it’s not serious.  The Wings are a pretty tough watch without him.

Videos added

James Wisniewski vs Shane Doan Oct 31, 2009
George Parros vs Paul Bissonnette Oct 31, 2009
James Wisniewski vs Keith Yandle Oct 31, 2009
Marek Zidlicky vs Sidney Crosby Oct 31, 2009
Craig Rivet vs Andy Sutton Oct 31, 2009
Steve Montador vs Tim Jackman Oct 31, 2009
Bryce Salvador vs Steve Downie Oct 31, 2009
Tim Conboy vs Daniel Carcillo Oct 31, 2009
Tom Kostopoulos vs Arron Asham Oct 31, 2009
Jay Harrison vs Ian Laperriere Oct 31, 2009

Some reads

May still has some fight left
John Tucker cancer free after radiation
Former Rangers Prucha, Korpikoski miss New York
Devils resumed Islanders’ playoff beard tradition
Montreal’s scientific method
George Parros: Dux in tux was a full evening
A Ref’s Life: Player communication

There were a pair of fights last night, both coming from the Senators-Lightning game.  This is the second time this season these two mildly overacheiving teams have met up.  The first game saw a few scraps as well.

There were new matchups this time around.  Mid-way through the game Chris Neil took on Zenon Konopka in a fairly spirited fight.  Konopka wasn’t too big a fan of the way the bout ended, with Neil getting in a late shot with the linesmen in.  Steve Downie wanted a piece of Jarkko Ruutu with under a minute left in the game.  Downie had the early part of the bout, but Ruutu was able to even things up.  These two have fought once before, when they were part of the Battle of Pennsylvania.

Tampa and Ottawa play twice more.  The next game is in just a week.  The last isn’t until April.

Videos added

Chris Neil vs Zenon Konopka Oct 29, 2009
Jarkko Ruutu vs Steve Downie Oct 29, 2009
Shane Hnidy vs Jake Dowell Oct 26, 2009
Shean Donovan vs Kenndal McArdle Oct 28, 2009
Jim Vandermeer vs R.J. Umberger Oct 28, 2009
Paul Bissonnette vs Jared Boll Oct 28, 2009
Cam Janssen vs Tim Conboy Oct 28, 2009
Brad Winchester vs Jay Harrison Oct 28, 2009

Some reads

Red Wings appreciate knowing veteran enforcer Brad May has their backs
Bolts’s Zonopka brings energy
A storied rise to the NHL for Caps’ Boudreau
Gill collects ring, but fits right in with Montreal
Some fun with numbers
Knock some sense into ‘em
High-def TV luring Americans to NHL

Steve MacIntyre and Brian McGrattan got the latest Flames-Oilers game started off right.  Just a few minutes into the game the two had a great fight that had the crowd roaring.

It was the second game of the season for MacIntyre and his first regular season fight since February, although he did have a pair against Joel Rechlicz in the preseason.

The Flames have won all three games against the Oilers so far. There have been five fights.

The other Wild monster

No Derek Boogaard?  No problem.  The Wild just substitute giants and add John Scott to their squad.  Scott handled Tim Conboy with ease.  Conboy, at 6’2” and 210 lbs, is no small man, but he could never get past Scott’s enormous reach advantage.

King returns, King leaves

DJ King played one game last season and returned to action last night.  He dropped the gloves and had an impressive win over Krys Barch.  Unfortunately he left the game right after with a hand or wrist injury.  He’s currently listed as day-to-day.

Richards crushes Booth

Mike Richards laid a huge hit on David Booth in last night’s Flyers-Panthers game.  Richards caught Booth’s head hard with his shoulder and Booth laid motionless on the ice. While Booth’s long-term status is unknown there was some positive news:

“They did some very quick motor tests and everything seemed fine,” Sexton said after the game. “He’s coherent. He knew his name.”

The league will review the play, Richards could be suspended.

Videos added

Tim Conboy vs John Scott Oct 24, 2009
Steve Begin vs Chris Neil Oct 24, 2009
Shawn Thornton vs Matt Carkner Oct 24, 2009
Byron Bitz vs Matt Carkner Oct 24, 2009
Ladislav Smid vs Mark Giordano Oct 24, 2009
Steve MacIntyre vs Brian McGrattan Oct 24, 2009
Steve Ott vs B.J. Crombeen Oct 24, 2009
Brian Sutherby vs Brad Winchester Oct 24, 2009
Krys Barch vs D.J. King Oct 24, 2009
Brad Staubitz vs Eric Boulton Oct 24, 2009
Nathan Smith vs B.J. Crombeen Oct 23, 2009
Keith Ballard vs Chris Kunitz Oct 23, 2009

Due to the storm in NY I lost power a few times and was unable to grab the Schenn-Glass and Boyle-D’Agostini clips (and Richards’ hit on Booth).  I should have them within a few days.

Some reads

Tucker leaves hospital, not due back soon
Ducks’ Boynton dealing with frustrations
Beauchemin looks forward to return to L.A.
Super-pest finds serenity in New York
Clear-thinking must rule concussion debate
Flyers, Bruins excited about outdoor game
Devellano’s next honor should be Hall of Fame

Last night wasn’t Derek Boogaard‘s first game this season, but it was his first with a fight.  Boogaard accepted an offer to go from David Koci, who looked like he realized what a mess he was in a few seconds too late.  The Avalanche list Koci at 6’6” and 238 lbs.  Even if they’re being generous with an inch, he looked quite small compared to the monstrous Boogaard. It was a long layoff in the fistic department for Boogaard as he hadn’t dropped the gloves since January.  Apparently that was no issue as Boogaard easily handled the tough Czech.

There were a few other good bouts last night.  Krys Barch and George Parros went back and forth in Anaheim.  Francis Wathier played in his first NHL game and got into his first fight, against Mike Brown.  Scott Walker and Brendan Witt had a good go mid-way through the first period of the Islanders first win of the season (a shootout).

Videos added

Krys Barch vs George Parros Oct 21, 2009 x2
Francis Wathier vs Mike Brown Oct 21, 2009 x2
David Koci vs Derek Boogaard Oct 21, 2009 x2
Scott Walker vs Brendan Witt Oct 21, 2009

Some reads

Seeing Red, in All Its Wide Variety
Wright exceeding early expectations with Lightning
Give Sens real nicknames

World pimpin’ leader

The site got a quick shout from ESPN’s SportsNation today.

SportsNation is on weekdays at 4pm eastern on ESPN2.

Videos added

Derek Dorsett vs Mark Giordano Oct 20, 2009
Martin Lapointe vs Ole-Kristian Tollefsen Dec 31, 2006
Taylor Pyatt vs Steve Staios Dec 30, 2006
Jeff Cowan vs Jean-Francois Jacques Dec 30, 2006
Grant Marshall vs Jamie Allison Jan 23, 2000
Jeff Brubaker vs Barry Beck Mar 14, 1981
Norm Barnes vs Tom Laidlaw Mar 14, 1981

Some reads

Flyers’ Cote tattooing friends and foes alike | Flyers brawler Riley Cote tattoos his fans
Leafs get physical
Much ado about nothing
Bryzgalov a big reason for Coyotes’ surprising start

Rick Rypien took on Zack Stortini last night and skated away with a solid win, again.  The two met up towards the end of last season and had a similar fight, with Rypien tossing everything he had at the tough guy for the rival Oilers.

The debate around Rypien has moved from how good he is within his weightclass to how good he is versus anyone.  His record this season is flawless.

Stortini is clearly trying to change his style and has taken a few expected lumps doing so, but has also won over some fans in the process.

Edmonton beat the Canucks 2-1 in a game that had a frenzy of a finish with a possible tying-goal just a split-second too late.

Normally I crop the photos some here, but the one above is just too good.  Great shot Mr. Jeong.

Zombie needs more grit

Adam Proteau has a few fun quotes from Rob Zombie, who unsurprisingly thinks the game should be marketed differently:

“For a while there I was friends with so many guys on the Kings, we’d hang out, and you can see the spirit of the players is the same, it’s just the way they market it that’s different now,” Zombie said. “I don’t know if it’s because of the big dollars and family entertainment, but in recent years they’ve used pictures of the Kings (ice) girls with cutoff shirts to promote (the team). I was like, ?What the f—-?’

“What the Kings should have done ? and the NHL can use this slogan if they like ?? was take somebody like Ian Laperriere when he was still on the team, have a big portrait of his face, smiling with no teeth and his big, messed-up nose, and the slogan ? ?You think you’re tough? KINGS.’

Video added

Rick Rypien vs Zack Stortini Oct 19, 2009

Some reads

Flames enforcer back in fighting form
Why NHL arenas were dark on two Sundays in October
Milbury is NHL?s unofficial spokesman
No contract talks between Ducks and Ryan ... yet
Email Bag Jam

Brian McGrattan had a monster night Friday.  After sending Darcy Hordichuk to the ice just minutes into the game he notched a goal and an assist in the second period to complete the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Tanner Glass and Brandon Prust had a good bout at the same time as McGrattan and Hordi.  Later in the game Rick Rypien also took on Prust.  Like McGrattan, Rypien picked up his first goal of the season and Prust chipped in with two assists for the Flames.  A solid night overall for the tough guys.

Boogaard’s return

Derek Boogaard played his first game Friday night.  He was a -1 with 2 PIMs in 6:28 against the Oilers.

An Avs-Wings fight, really

While still promoted as a rivalry, there hasn’t been much hatred between Colorado and Detroit in some time.  Nothing happened to re-spark it Saturday, but there was a real (and pretty good) fight in the Avs-Wings game between Cody McLeod and Brad May.

Videos added

Ryane Clowe vs Tim Jackman Oct 17, 2009
Cody McLeod vs Brad May Oct 17, 2009 x2
B.J. Crombeen vs Mike Brown Oct 17, 2009
Johnny Boychuk vs Paul Bissonnette Oct 17, 2009
Andrew Alberts vs David Clarkson Oct 17, 2009
Rick Rypien vs Brandon Prust Oct 16, 2009
Tanner Glass vs Brandon Prust Oct 16, 2009
Darcy Hordichuk vs Brian McGrattan Oct 16, 2009
Ian Laperriere vs Bryan Allen Oct 16, 2009
Daniel Carcillo vs Gregory Campbell Oct 16, 2009
Tim Jackman vs Paul Gaustad Oct 16, 2009
Eric Boulton vs Andrew Peters Oct 16, 2009 x2

Some reads

Panthers fight back
Business of hockey: Issues to watch
Ryan Malone says no regrets on leaving Pittsburgh
Brule takes big step forward
Puck drops for Chiefs’ season
Wheel of Wingers in Tampa

Is there such a thing as an expansion rivalry?  No?  Well, either way, the Senators were all over the Lightning on the scoreboard and the Bolts battled back the only way they could, with hard, chippy play.

It was 4-0 by the time the gloves hit the ice in the second period and Matt Walker had a go with Chris Neil.  It was the first major for each player this season and Neil tried to keep the crowd into it as he skated off.  Zenon Konopka and Chris Phillips emerged from a scrum at the end of the second period.  The third and final fight was midway through the third period when Matt Carkner handled Steve Downie easily.

Videos added

Steve Downie vs Matt Carkner Oct 15, 2009 x2
Zenon Konopka vs Chris Phillips Oct 15, 2009 x2
Matt Walker vs Chris Neil Oct 15, 2009 x2

Some reads

Ducks’ George Parros: Season starting slowly, fight-wise
Dallas Stars are building a new identity
Rolling newsletter _ The TV Issue
Canucks prospect newest Salmon King