Throwdown Lowdown – Blackhawks @ Blues – 10-22-10

SILENT JAY FOR SELKE!!!!! Image via “Blackhawks Confidential” at chicagonow.com

During Monday’s disheartening Blues overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, as I guessed would happen, there was a scrap – albeit not a real good one.  David Backes and Bryan Bickell exchanged some slashes, then dropped the gloves and went at it.  What ensued were some overhand rights by each, but the fight ended with a sweater tug by Bickell as he was trying to knock Backes’ helmet off.  Now, the sweater pull was a staple in old school fights.  But in the modern “Tie Down Your Sweater” NHL, I call that a jerk move (because it makes you look like you’re trying to draw a game misconduct on your opponent).  So while the fine folks at Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights call this a draw, I disagree with them and will give the edge to Backes just for that move.  Here’s the video of the fight, in case you’re a Dish Network customer like me and missed it in all its’ glory.  This brings the Blues to 3-2-1 in six fights in ’10-’11, and those six fights positions our boys at sixth in the NHL fight standings.  Of note – the Blues were as high as third in the league after Monday’s game.  The lack of games can have ODD effects!

This will be a short report, as I’ve already previewed pretty much everything you need to know about the Blackhawks and their lack of fighting around the league (except when they play the Blues) in the previous Throwdown Lowdown.  Click the link to see the report.  Your only change to that report is the previously-noted Backes-Bickell scrap, unless you want to be technical and say, well, the game is in a different location.  Look, it’s MY job to be the smartass, not yours.

After what happened to end Monday night’s proceedings, I fully expect the Blues to challenge someone tonight.  One guy I’m thinking of in particular is Barret Jackman.  After making a miscue that led to the game-winner on Monday, it would be upsetting if SIR JAXX came out flat or less-than-angry tonight.  I feel not only will he play better tonight, but he will fight someone – such as Nick Boynton.  Backes is starting to build a recent history of fighting with the Blackhawks, and I think he goes after someone like Troy Brouwer tonight (or, perhaps, it will go the other way around).  I again say that no one should try to go after John Scott.

I reiterate . . . how about holding a 2-0 lead this time, boys?  Let’s get it done.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights