Throwdown Lowdown – Blue Jackets @ Blues, 03-07-11

Jared Boll just needs a hug. What a photo. Image via CNN/SI

That was an absolutely disappointing effort by the Blues in their 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.  To add to that, there was an embarrassing incident between Barret Jackman and Michael Haley to end the contest that can only be described as an “everyone was wrong” play.  Yes, Sir Jaxx didn’t need to shove or punch Josh Bailey, but Haley was on the winning team and probably shouldn’t have retaliated either . . . a no-win situation for all involved, including us fans of the sport.  Regardless, there WAS one ACTUAL fight in the game – although not really much of one – and it was between BJ Crombeen and Matt Martin (video here).  And a relatively pathetic fight it was for both combatants involved.  I bet you didn’t guess it ended in a draw!  You’d be wrong, because it did.  So the Blues are still in second in fighting majors in the NHL with 62, but now it’s a tie for second with the Boston Bruins.  The team fight record now stands at 25-19-18.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are about in the same mode that the Blues are in – barely in playoff position in the West, but with just about no chance to make it to the dance.  The difference?  They’re in MUCH better position than the Blues are, by far (fact is, neither team is making it, so it doesn’t matter).  Also, behind two violent individuals in particular, they are one of the better fighting teams in the National Hockey League.  As of now, the Jackets are alone in ninth place in the NHL with 44 fighting majors on the season.  Their record in those fights is not spectacular but not at all bad at 12-15-17.  We have covered the Blue Jackets on three occasions previously (November 10th, December 9th and January 22nd), and the two teams have fought against each other six times this season (see video links below).

The top two Jackets fighters are both in the top 10 individually amongst NHL fighters, and they are top Jackets fighter Jared Boll (6’3”, 210lbs, 5-6-8, Third individually in the NHL with a draw to Cam Janssen that really should have been a Janssen win and a unanimous win over Crombeen) with 19 fights and Derek Dorsett (5’11”, 187lbs, 4-7-3, Tied for fifth individually in the NHL with a loss to Crombeen and a draw with Brad “F.” Winchester) with 14.  Following is freshly-traded farmhand Tom Sestito (6’5”, 228lbs, 3-0-1, traded to Philadelphia at the deadline) with four.  Chris Clark (6’0”, 196, 0-0-2 including a draw with Nathan Oystrick), Mike Commodore (6’5”, 245lbs, 0-1-1, currently with AHL Springfield) and Marc Methot (6’3”, 230lbs, 0-1-1 including a loss to Tyson Strachan) each have fought twice.  Derek Brassard (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw, On IR with a hand injury and should never ever ever ever EVER be seen fighting at a hockey game) has one fighting major this season.

I totally want to see Ryan Reaves go at it with Boll.  This is a perfect size matchup, Reaves was a good fighter down on the farm and Boll has plenty of NHL fighting experience.  This needs to happen.

Hopefully you’ve recovered from your Mardi Gras weekend hangovers by now.  Get ready.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights