Throwdown Lowdown – Blackhawks @ Blues, 02-21-11

Cody McLeod does this a lot. Image via the Washington Post

What an emotional night it was at the Kiel “I Don’t Call It Scottrade” Center on Saturday, and what a game it was – a 9-3 victory over a solid Anaheim Ducks squad.  Were there fights?  You’d better believe it . . . starting with an anticipated bout between George Parros and Cam Janssen that featured Cam hanging in there to make it a good fight but losing quite decidedly (video here) and followed by a largely-unanticipated absolute destruction by Matt D’Agostini over Luca Sbisa (video here – GO GET ‘EM D’AGS!).  With those two fights, the Blues have leap-frogged the Boston Bruins to take sole possession of second in the NHL with 57 fighting majors on the season coming into today’s action. Their fight record is now 23-17-17 with the win and loss from Saturday added.

Now, the Blackhawks roll into town for a special President’s Day afternoon start.  Loyal readers of the Throwdown Lowdown report will note that I really do not like the Blackhawks one.  The Hawks have been covered in the report four times already this season (in order: October 18th, October 22nd, November 30th and December 28th).  Two things to note here – one, the Blackhawks do not fight much, but two, they DO tend to drop the gloves against the Blues . . . seven times, in fact, in this season alone.  (Fill in your own thing about a division rivalry here, readers!)  Thus far, the Blackhawks have collected 23 fighting majors on the season, good for a tie for 22nd in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens.  Their fight record looks better than it probably should be – 10-6-7 – because seven of the 10 wins have come from one guy.

Jacob Dowell (6’0”, 199lbs, 2-4-2 including a loss to BJ Crombeen) leads the Blackhawks with eight.  Second behind him is the team’s best fighter, John Scott (6’8”, 258lbs, 7-0-0 including a win over Brad Winchester and two wins over Janssen) with seven.  Two fights each have been contested by Bryan Bickell (6’4”, 223lbs, 1-0-1 including a draw with David Backes), Nick Boynton (6’1”, 218lbs, 0-1-1 including once getting destroyed by Crombeen) and Troy Brouwer (6’2”, 214lbs, 0-1-1).  Both of the solo fighters are not with the club – Jack Skille (6’1”, 215lbs, Draw, traded to Florida in the Michael Frolik deal) and Jeremy Morin (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw . . . with Chris Porter, currently with Rockford of the AHL).

I would think Janssen would like to avoid another rematch with Scott, but I’ve been wrong before.  There are several good fights that would make sense in this matchup, and I don’t believe the home crowd will be leaving without seeing at least one tonight.  It’s difficult to pinpoint just one that I’d like.

The Blues seem to be excited after a huge trade and some good home crowds.  Bring another one home, boys, and make it four straight.

Also, folks, don’t forget – Tweetup before and after the game at Flannery’s!  Jeff (thanks to his awesome wife Kelly) is scheduled to be there before the game, I plan to be there after the game.  Good times!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights