Throwdown Lowdown – Blues @ Maple Leafs 01-06-11

THROW THE WAFFLE! Image via the Associated Press by way of the brilliant Pension Plan Puppets on SB Nation

Most good Blues fans like me would like to forget that the team ever played the Dallas Stars in the 2010-2011 season, especially considering the matchup problems created in those four games, and RATHER especially after how that 4-2 loss on Sunday ended up.  But how could I forget this team?  They gave me a possible fight-of-the-year candidate with one of their two fights from Sunday.  I, of course, speak of the fight between Cam Janssen and Krys Barch, a throwdown of epic proportions (video here).  The scrap had everything you’d expect . . . both fighters used both fists (which happens WAY too little these days), Janssen drew blood, both fighters landed good jabs and huge bombs.  It was, correctly, voted a draw over at Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights.  If you HAD to determine a winner, I guess it would be Janssen, but you can’t have a winner in that fight.  The other fight of the evening – BJ Crombeen vs. Brandon Segal – wasn’t nearly as good.  In fact, I thought Segal dropped Crombeen just to get out of it, so it was an easy victory for Beej.  These two fights bring the Blues to 37 fighting majors on the season, good for third in the NHL by themselves, and a fighting record of 17-11-9.

Hey, guess what?  It’s another former Norris Division team!  That’s right . . . the Toronto Maple Leafs may not play at the old Maple Leaf Gardens anymore, but it’s still a bit of fun any time these two old rivals hook up on the pond.  “Canada’s Team” has not quite done so well this season after getting off to a blistering start, and there are many rumo(u)rs swirling about who may get fired and who may not be due to this regression.  It is not a grand time to be a Maple Leaf.  So naturally, this team does not mind shedding the gloves and getting to work from time-to-time, and they do have several more-than-capable dancers in their employ.  Right now, the Leafs are tied for 10th in the NHL with the Washington Capitals with 27 fighting majors on the season.  Their fight record is okay but nothing to write home about – 7-10-10.

To no one’s surprise, Colton Orr (6’3”, 222lbs, 6-4-1) leads the Leafs with 11 fights.  He was brought to Toronto specifically to be an enforcer, and he’s doing his job.  Mike Brown (5’11”, 205, 1-1-4, out with a broken finger) follows with six fights.  Mike Komisarek (6’4”, 243lbs, 0-2-2) has fought four times and captain Dion Phaneuf 6’3”, 214lbs, 0-0-2) and Jay Rosehill (6’3”, 215lbs, 0-2-0, currently with the AHL Toronto Marlies) each have fought twice.  Solo Leafs fighters are one guy you may expect and another you may not: Luke Schenn (6’2”, 229lbs, Draw) and former Blackhawk Kris Versteeg (5’10”, 182lbs, Loss).

I think the fight everyone will look for is between Janssen and Orr.  Orr has gotten the better of Janssen in the past, but there’s no reason to say Cam’s luck can’t change.  Phaneuf or Schenn might be a good match for someone like David Backes.  And honestly, Orr’s best match size-wise is actually Brad Winchester.  But I digress.

Road games?  What the hell ARE these things?!  Go get it, team.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights