Throwdown Lowdown – Blues @ Wild 3-14-10
Worst. Fighting Camp. Ever. Not like I'd ever say it to Derek Boogaard's face, but . . . just sayin'. Image via meltyourfaceoff.com
It seems the Blues wanted to DOMINATE the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Saturday . . . while there were many spouts of violence toward the end of the game, no official fights were recorded. This leaves the Blues at 5th with 57 fights and a record of 23-18-16.
The last time we saw the Minnesota Wild, they had thrown the gloves down 22 times on the season. That was on January 14th, and they’ve only gone at it seven times since then. At that, they’ve only fought once since the Olympic Break, and it was grizzled veteran, old nemesis and Ulster native Owen Nolan who fought. He’s old, but us Irish folk never shy away from fisticuffs (at least, that’s what the boosters at Notre Dame would have you believe). The Wild have fought 29 times this season – good for a tie for 24th place on the season in total – and their fight record of 12-11-6 suggests that they pick their fights well. Good luck with that on this one. The Wild and the Blues have scrapped once, and that fight was chronicled here.
Derek Boogaard (6’8″, 275lbs, 5-0-3) is one of the biggest and baddest fighters in the NHL. But 1) he doesn’t play much since fighting is the main skill he has, and 2) if you’re not playing, you’re not fighting. Also ready to fight for the Wild is defenseman John Scott (6’8″, 258lbs, 4-0-1). Defensemen Clayton Stoner (6’4″, 212lbs, 1-0-1, on IR with a groin injury – hopefully his own) and Shane Hnidy (6’2″, 204lbs, 0-2-2, doubtful with a groin injury – again, hopefully his own) would have no problem joining the fray if they weren’t injured.
DJ King played last night against the Blue Jackets. Whether Davis Payne wants the same physicality to continue against the Wild will be key not only to the score sheet, but to the violence he would like to bring to this game. With that in mind, if King plays, expect him to want to battle Boogaard. Otherwise, an intermidate fight between someone like BJ Crombeen and someone like Stoner (if he’s ready) is the best you can expect in this game.
Three in a row? Why, that would be pleasant. DO IT!
LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!
Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights
