Throwdown Lowdown -Blues @ Ducks, 01-12-11

BLAST FROM THE PAST! Image via the Ducks Blog at the Orange County Register

Cam Janssen basically guaranteed he would fight Paul Bissonnette in Monday night’s disappointing 4-3 Blues home loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.  And fight they did . . . and it was kind of a dud. Janssen did what he could, but BizNasty got the win very easily (video of the fight is here).  This brings the Blues to 38 fighting majors on the season, good for a tie for third with the resurgent Boston Bruins. Their fight record now stands at 17-12-9.

Well, what can you say about the Anaheim Ducks?  For one, they really like to fight.  For second, they employ the NHL’s current leader in fighting majors in George Parros.  And finally . . . did I mention they like to fight?  If not, the October 11th Ducks-Blues tilt at Scottrade (report here) would have been a good indication, as there were four fights in that game (one which should not have counted as such – more on that later).  The Ducks are the top fighting team in the league, taking 41 fighting majors and kicking ass virtually everywhere.  Their fight record is not bad at 13-10-18.

Parros (6’5”, 222lbs, 7-2-7), as mentioned before, leads the NHL in fighting majors with 16, and obviously he leads his team as well.  Sheldon Brookbank (6’1”, 200lbs, 2-1-2), Aaron Voros (6’4”, 215lbs, 2-2-1 including a win over Eric Brewer) and Kyle Chipchura (6’2”, 206lbs, 0-1-4 including a loss to Ryan Reaves, who was just recalled) each have fought five times as a Duck.  Ryan Carter (6’2”, 200lbs, 1-1-0 as a Duck, traded to Carolina, 1-1-1 overall) and Corey Perry (6’3”, 206lbs, 0-0-2) have each fought twice.  Your solo fighters include Bobby Ryan (6’2”, 208lbs, Win . . . over David Perron, who was not there to fight), Luca Sbisa (6’2”, 204lbs, Draw), Ryan Getzlaf (6’4”, 220lbs, Draw, may not attend due to surgery), Andy Sutton (6’6”, 245lbs, Draw, just wants to know if you’re an expert), Troy Bodie (6’4”, 196lbs, 0-1-0 as a Duck, waived to Carolina, 1-1-3 overall) and Brendan Mikkelson, (6’3”, 205lbs, sent to Calgary earlier in the season, here’s his fight with Erik Johnson).

So I’ve been salivating about this game for quite a while – two teams that do not mind getting down and dirty.  Who will punch first?  Will it be newcomer Reaves?  Why not?  SHOULD it be a new guy?  You never know.  But if I had to guess . . . Parros vs. Brad Winchester would be a good one.  I’ll shoot for that.

This isn’t a fun winter vacation.  Let’s turn it around fast.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights