You are not an expert, Andy. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

Was there a hockey game on Friday? I’m not sure . . . well, there’s a box score that shows a 3-1 St. Louis Blues defeat to the Calgary Flames, so I suppose there was a hockey game on Friday. The box score also shows that there were no fights contested in the game, so I have nothing to report on from the contest. So the Blues remain at three fighting majors on the season, currently good for a massive tie for 15th in the National Hockey League in that category. The Note’s fight record remains at 1-0-2.

As the worst team in the NHL last year, the Edmonton Oilers had to resort to a lot of brawling tactics last year to keep themselves interested in many of their games. And they had several veteran AHL fighters on their roster as well as a few NHL-ready brawlers on their squad. They seem to have restocked with several NHL-level brawlers this season. Thus far on the young 2011-2012 season, the Oilers have fought five times, good for a tie for ninth in the NHL in that category. In those fights, however, they are a lackluster 0-1-4. Last year, the Oilers were seventh overall in the NHL with 55 fighting majors on the season, going 17-19-19 in those fights.

Oilers players that have fought this season include Andy “Are You An Expert?” Sutton (6’6”, 245lbs, 0-0-3, suspended for this contest for an illegal hit) with three fights and Theo Peckham (6’2”, 235lbs, Draw) and Ben Eager (6’2”, 240lbs, Loss) each with one fight. Among those currently on the Oilers roster who fought last year include Darcy Hordichuk (6’1”, 212lbs, 3-2-5, on IR with a knee injury) and Peckham (2-3-5), each with 10 fights. Following them was Eager (3-0-3) with six fights. Sutton (0-1-2) fought three times last season. Ryan Jones (6’1”, 205lbs, 1-1-0), Ladislav Smid (6’3”, 210lbs, 0-1-1) and Cam Barker (6’3”, 223lbs, 0-2-0) each fought twice last season. Solo fighters from 2010-2011 for the Oilers include Sam Gagner (5’11”, 195lbs, Win), Ryan Whitney (6’3”, 206lbs, Draw, out with a knee injury), Ryan Smyth (6’1”, 192lbs, Draw), Shawn Horcoff (6’1”, 207lbs, Draw) and über-prospect Taylor Hall (6’1”, 194lbs, Loss).

Your best bet for a fight in this contest is probably Peckham going at it with Ryan Reaves – again, if Reaves and Peckham play (which is no longer a huge likelihood).

Can the Blues get back on track just up the road from Calgary? I think it’s possible.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Stoner even looks high when he’s getting hit. What a name. Image via Zimbio

I didn’t see much of the game on Saturday due to bowling obligations (and by the way, my right arm frickin’ hurts), but I heard it was a pretty epic time during the Blues’ 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild.  Well, when you score six goals and all six are by six different players, that will ALWAYS be fun.  What was NOT fun to find out was that there were NO fights in the game.  That was disappointing to this reporter, to say the least.  So the Blues stay steady at 72 fighting majors and remain tops in the National Hockey League in that category.  The fight record remains at a very good 30-21-21.

And here we go again, with the same team.  I really don’t know why it was pertinent to schedule, essentially, two home-and-homes with two teams that don’t even share a division.  But whatever, I guess.  We have covered the Wild on three occasions (February 11th and 12th and, obviously, this past Saturday).  With no fights Saturday, the Wild slid to a tie for 20th in the NHL with 30 fighting majors.  The Atlanta Thrashers fought over the weekend, so they broke free from the tie between the Wild and the Montreal Canadiens.  And of course, Minnesota’s fight record still stands at a very solid 14-8-8.

We’ll go ahead and recap the fighters again . . . Brad Staubitz (6’1”, 215lbs, 7-5-2 including a loss to Brad Winchester and a draw with Cam Janssen) leads the team with 14 fights on the season, obviously almost half of the team’s fights.  Following him is Clayton Stoner (6’3”, 225lbs, 3-1-1 including a bloody victory over David Backes) with five.  Following him are five guys with two fights each: Matt Kassian (6’4”, 232lbs, 2-0-0, currently with Houston in the AHL), Eric Nystrom (6’1”, 193lbs, 1-1-0), Cam Barker (6’3”, 215lbs, 1-1-0 including a loss to Matt D’Agostini), Brent Burns (6’5”, 219lbs, 0-0-2) and Kyle Brodziak (6’2”, 209lbs, 0-1-1).  Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw) has only fought once and is the only Wild to fight only once this season.

After getting NO fights on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine these two would lay off each other this time.  Maybe this time, Ryan Reaves DOES go at it with Staubitz.  Maybe this time, Stoner and someone like BJ Crombeen go at it.  Maybe there’s a rematch between D’Agostini and Barker.  Really, who knows?

I will be in attendance for this one. Meet Jeff, Kelly and I (at least . . . there may be more) before the game!  And maybe we’ll also bring home a winner!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Looks like Subban wants Staubitz to leave. Image via Zimbio

Sure, the Edmonton Oilers are probably the worst team in the National Hockey League, but that doesn’t make the dominating 4-0 Blues win over them any less sweet.  “Dominating” may not be the right word, but the absolute correct word might be one I won’t mention on this blog (but I probably would at Game Time).  And guess what?  There were three fights in the game!  And how different these three fights were to each other, I say.  First, it was a mini-epic dance fest between Jim Vandermeer and Cam Janssen that was rightfully scored a draw (video here).  Then, Ryan Reaves and Theo Peckham went at it with Reaves taking it quite decidedly (video here).  Finally, after a questionable hit from behind by Jean-Francois Jacques to Chris Porter, BJ Crombeen sparred with Jacques and despite giving inches and pounds to him, Beej was determined the winner (video here).  The Blues slide up to 72 fighting majors, and in so doing, slide into first place by themselves in fights.  The two wins and a draw move the fight record up to 30-21-21.  That record is starting to turn back to the good side!

Why is it, exactly, that we (technically, anyway, this time) play TWO home-and-homes with the Minnesota Wild?  Sure, they are a Western Conference foe, but why not do this more often with the likes of Chicago or Detroit or Columbus or Nashville?  You know . . . DIVISIONAL OPPONENTS?!   I digress, though.  So as you know, we HAVE covered the Wild on two occasions (February 11th and 12th).  If you ask me, THAT was probably the weekend where the Blues were put in the can for the season, with playoff dreams flushed down the toilet.  The Wild are not a huge fighting team, but in that weekend home-and-home they fought the Blues four times (you’ll find video links in the next paragraph).  The Wild are currently tied for 19th in the NHL with 30 fighting majors, sitting level with the Atlanta Thrashers and Montreal Canadiens.  For a team that doesn’t fight much, they do a good job when they do, as their fight record on the season shows – 14-8-8.

Brad Staubitz (6’1”, 215lbs, 7-5-2 including a loss to Brad Winchester and a draw with Janssen) leads the team with 14 fights on the season, obviously almost half of the team’s fights.  Following him is Clayton Stoner (6’3”, 225lbs, 3-1-1 including a victory over David Backes with plenty of “Inglourious Blood”) with five.  Following him are five guys with two fights each: Matt Kassian (6’4”, 232lbs, 2-0-0, currently with Houston in the AHL), Eric Nystrom (6’1”, 193lbs, 1-1-0), Cam Barker (6’3”, 215lbs, 1-1-0 including a loss to Matt D’Agostini), Brent Burns (6’5”, 219lbs, 0-0-2) and Kyle Brodziak (6’2”, 209lbs, 0-1-1).  Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw) has only fought once and is the only Wild to fight only once this season.

With the makeup of the Blues team markedly altered since the last meetings with the Wild, it’s hard to tell if the bad blood from the first two games will spill over here.  But if you’re the betting type (and believe me, if I had money, I WOULD be one), I would go with Reaves and Staubitz.  But as with the last set of games with the Wild, A LOT of things are possible here.

Can the boys get a modicum of redemption on the Wild?  We shall see.  Also, thanks for the birthday wishes yesterday, all.  It is much appreciated.  DIRTY THIRTY!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

I’m always going to jump at an opportunity to use a Jamal Mayers picture. Image via Zimbio

I would wish everyone a grand Valentine’s Day, but the fact is that I do not like Valentine’s Day.  In fact, I will be wearing all black today in honor of Stupid Love Saint Day.  GO ME!  Now, on to the business at hand . . . .

That was NOT the big weekend the Blues were hoping for.  Following Friday’s disheartening 5-4 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild, a 3-1 loss in St. Paul brings The Note to a possible turning point they did not want to see in a season filled with promise.  However, four fights on the weekend did pad to an already-high fighting major total.  As promised, here’s the video of Brad Winchester’s victory over Brad Staubitz on Friday.  Then, three more fights were contested Saturday night – Matt D’Agostini (?!) with a victory over Cam Barker (video here), Cam Janssen working a draw with Staubitz (video here) and, after the final whistle, a bloody fight that Clayton Stoner won over David Backes (video here, brutal screencap of Backes’s WWF-like bloody forehead, via St. Louis Game Time, here . . . not for the squeamish).  This brings the Blues to 55 fights on the season, good for a tie for second place in the NHL with the Boston Bruins.  The Blues’ fight record after a 2-1-1 fight weekend now stands at 22-16-17.

We have covered the Vancouver Canucks on two occasions previously (December 5th and December 20th), and since the departure of Rick Rypien due to personal matters, they really have shied away from the physical nature of hockey . . . at least, as far as fighting is concerned.  Fact is, they don’t have many bona-fide fighters on that squad.  This would be a problem if they were not such a good hockey club, but really, at this point, there’s no reason to change it if they’re playing good hockey (which they are).  As it stands, the Canucks are tied for 18th in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild with 25 fighting majors each.  Their fight record isn’t that impressive either – 5-10-10, to be exact.

In Rypien’s absence, Tanner Glass (6’1”, 210lbs, 2-2-4) is the team fight leader for the Canucks with eight.  Following Glass are a triumvirate with three fights each – Kevin Bieksa (6’1”, 198lbs, 2-1-0), Keith Ballard (5’11”, 208lbs, 0-1-2 including a loss to Carlo “Bird Cage” Colaiacovo, on IR with a knee sprain) and the aforementioned Rypien (5’11”, 190lbs, 0-2-1, on IR for personal issues).  Guillaume Desbiens (6’2”, 210lbs, 1-1-0, assigned to AHL Manitoba in mid-December) and Aaron Volpatti (6’1”, 201lbs, 0-1-1, assigned to AHL Manitoba last week) have each fought twice.  Canucks with one fight each are Raffi Torres (6’0”, 216lbs, Draw), Alexandre Bolduc (6’1”, 197, Draw, on IR with a shoulder injury but currently on a rehab assignment), Andrew Alberts (6’5”, 218lbs, Loss) and Aaron Rome (6’1”, 218lbs, Loss).

With Colaiacovo wearing a protective mask and Ballard on IR, there will be no rematch.  Obviously, though, I would say that if there WERE a fight, Glass would have to be involved.  Winchester and Janssen seem to be the most likely opponents if there were to be a scrap.

The time is now for the Blues to get back to winning games.  This is a tall order tonight, though.  DO IT!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

I’m re-running this picture because Tom Sestito’s face here makes me laugh out loud. Image via Zimbio

That was quite the disheartening 5-4 overtime loss by the Blues to the Minnesota Wild.  At the very least, the Blues got one point out of the ordeal, but they could have had SO much more.  Such is the 2010-2011 season, as it seems.  There was a fight between Brad Winchester and Brad Staubitz in this game, and while I won’t have the video or results until Monday, I felt like Winchester won that battle.  With that fight, the Blues move to 52 fighting majors on the season.  The problem?  There were about 30,000 fights in the Penguins-Islanders game (I’m only slightly exaggerating).  So the Pens have not only shot to the top of the standings, they may run away with the flag at this point, given the team’s situation and pugilistic attitude.  At the time I wrote this, the Pens fight total was somewhere around 61.  The Boston Bruins, with 55, were already in second, so the Blues come into tonight’s action in third place in the NHL as far as fighting majors go.  The Blues’ fight record, tentatively, stands at 21-15-16.

So . . . you may know these people. They’re the team the Blues played last night.  This time, though, the scene is the home ice of the Minnesota Wild – the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. You’ve obviously heard about these guys before, and their lack of fighting prowess still stands even after last night’s fight.  After last night’s action, the Wild now are in 23rd place by themselves with 22 fighting majors on the season, and tentatively their fight record (based on a win by Winchester over Staubitz) is 9-6-7.

Brad Staubitz (6’1”, 210lbs, tentatively 5-2-3 awaiting his decision with Winchester), as you know, has now fought 10 times on the season.  He is (obviously) followed by five guys with two fights each – Matt Kassian (6’5”, 245lbs, 2-0-0, currently with the AHL’s Houston Aeros), Brent Burns (6’5”, 219lbs, 0-0-2 including one fighting major where he broke a guy’s orbital bone with the butt end of his stick), Eric Nystrom (6’1”, 193lbs 1-1-0), Clayton Stoner (6’3”, 225lbs, 1-1-0) and Kyle Brodziak (6’2”, 209lbs, 0-1-1).  Two solo fighters round out the squad – Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw) and former Blackhawk Cam Barker (6’3”, 215lbs, Loss).

So after last night, I figure anything could be expected out there fight-wise.  It’s possible that Cam Janssen makes a triumphant return and pounds the crap out of Staubitz or, possibly, Nystrom for his hit on David Backes.  Maybe Barret Jackman gets spun around and he wraps fist and cold-cocks someone.  Maybe someone for Minnesota tells Erik Johnson a “Two Front Teeth” joke at the worst possible time.   The possibilities are endless here.

Three points is still possible, but not probable, out of this home-and-home set.  I want the three points.  Go get them, Noted Ones.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Staubitz ducks and Sestito looks too happy to have missed him. Image via Zimbio

Surprisingly, there WAS a fight in the Blues’ 2-1 regulation road victory over the Florida Panthers.  Possibly sensing the team was dragging a bit, BJ Crombeen went at it with Bryan Allen.  The fight was alright, but easily it was no more than a draw (video here). So that brings the Blues to 51 fighting majors on the season. Exciting times, right? Well, of course, but . . . the Boston Bruins collected six fights on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, putting them in first with 55, and the Pittsburgh Penguins fought three times on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, putting the Pens at 52.  So those 51 fights are only good for third place now!  The Blues’ fight record now stands at 20-15-16.

So now, it’s a home-and-home with a team very close to the Blues in the standings –the Minnesota Wild.  Truth be told, I’d rather play a home-and-home against a division rival than a mere conference rival.  But I digress . . . .  We start in St. Louis in a contest that will be the first meeting between the two clubs this season.  In the past, this club relied on a slower pace of play and the propensity for occasional fisticuffs behind the likes of Derek Boogaard.  Now, however, the departure of Boogaard in free agency seems to have affected how this team plays hockey (which is to say . . . it’s not fun for people like me).  Currently, the Wild are tied for 23rd in the NHL with those “Fightin’ Habs” from Wednesday night, each with 21 fighting majors on the season.  Their fight record?  Well, it’s a bit more impressive – a cool 9-5-7.

Brad Staubitz (6’1”, 210lbs, 5-1-3), with nine fights, is the unquestioned team enforcer, although a bit undersized for the role.  He is followed by five guys with two fights each – Matt Kassian (6’5”, 245lbs, 2-0-0, currently with the AHL’s Houston Aeros), Brent Burns (6’5”, 219lbs, 0-0-2 including one fighting major where he broke a guy’s orbital bone with the butt end of his stick), Eric Nystrom (6’1”, 193lbs 1-1-0), Clayton Stoner (6’3”, 225lbs, 1-1-0) and Kyle Brodziak (6’2”, 209lbs, 0-1-1).  Two solo fighters round out the squad – Chuck Kobasew (6’0”, 192lbs, Draw) and former Blackhawk Cam Barker (6’3”, 215lbs, Loss).

While it would not be hard to imagine that there would be some fighting in the next 120 or so minutes of Blues hockey, you’d like to think they’d lay off just a touch tonight, knowing there’s a game tomorrow.  But I would assuredly expect a Cam Janssen bout with Staubitz at some point.  Also, Burns and Brad “F.” Winchester would be a great matchup size-wise.  And Crombeen tends to fight the Wild a lot.  Other than those items, this looks like a real crapshoot on the fighting front.

I would really like 3 or 4 points out of this home-and-home set.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

This man is SCARY big. Image via committedindians.com

Saturday’s Blues loss to the Dallas Stars held true to the Throwdown Lowdown report posted Saturday morning – the Stars had yet to fight during this young season, and they did not drop the gloves with The Note on Saturday.  So the Stars remain one of two teams in the NHL yet to fight on the season (the other being the Florida Panthers, who are too busy getting their radio guy to make awesome goal calls), while the Blues are entrenched in a three-way tie for third in the NHL (with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals) with 5 fights.

The Chicago Blackhawks show a propensity to not fight around the league, but when they play a divisional opponent (chief being the Blues), they shed the gloves like they’re not even there.  This year, the Hawks are tied for 22nd with several teams, whom each have contested one fight.  The Blackhawks’ lone fight involved Jacob Dowell, who was essentially destroyed by the Sabres’ Cody McCormick.  Last year, the Hawks fought a paltry 36 times, good for 21st place in the NHL.  They were 11-12-13 in those fights; 10 of these fights came in games against the Blues and only 12 of the 36 total fights were contested by players that still play for the Blackhawks.

To recap the ten Blues-Blackhawks fights . . . in a fight-filled January 2nd contest in St. Louis, current Thrasher Ben Eager defeated BJ Crombeen, current Wild Cam Barker took down now-Panther Mike Weaver, Jonathan Toews lost to David Backes and commenced to vomit in the penalty box, current Oiler Colin Fraser worked a draw with Carlo Colaiacovo and Eager did an encore, being rewarded with a loss to Barret Jackman.  On February 6th in St. Louis, Barker worked a draw with Jackman and current Thrasher Andrew Ladd defeated Eric Brewer.  On March 30th in St. Louis, Cam Janssen worked a Blackhawk Double Victory, first taking down Eager then taking out Nick Boynton.  Finally, on April 7th in Chicago, Brent Seabrook and Brad Winchester worked a draw.  Click each opponent’s name for video of each fight.

Last year, the Blackhawks were led by Eager (6’2″, 230lbs, 3-3-2, traded to Atlanta) with eight fights.  Following him were Fraser (6’1”, 190lbs, 0-2-4, traded to Edmonton) with six, Troy Brouwer (6’2”, 214lbs, 3-1-0) with four, Brent Seabrook (6’3”, 218lbs, 1-0-2) with three and Ladd (6’2”, 200lbs, 2-0-0, traded to Atlanta), Adam Burish (6’0”, 189lbs, 0-1-1, traded to Atlanta) and Boynton (6’1”, 218lbs, 0-2-0 with Chicago and 0-4-1 overall) with two each.  Hawks with one fight each included Radek Smolenak (6’3”, 180lbs, Loss, signed with a Czech club), Dowell (6’0”, 199lbs, Draw), Bryan Bickell (6’4”, 223lbs, Loss), Toews (6’2”, 210lbs, Loss), Kris Versteeg (5’10”, 182lbs, Draw, traded to Toronto), Dustin Byfuglien (6’4”, 255lbs, Win, traded to Atlanta) and Duncan Keith (6’1”, 196lbs, Draw).  In addition, free agent acquisition John Scott (6’8″, 258lbs) went 5-0-1 in fights last season as a member of the Minnesota Wild.

Whatever happens, if the Blues get into a fight, they do NOT need to be messing with Scott.  The man is massive and scares the living crap out of me.  As far as size matchups go, Brouwer could work a good fight with Crombeen if either offer.  Of course, the one I WANT to see is the rematch between Toews and Backes, if for no other reason to see if Toews will throw up in the penalty box again.  I’ll note that they DO match up VERY well size-wise, but Toews can only take his physicality in small doses.

So, how about holding a 2-0 (or bigger) lead this time, boys?  Let’s get it done.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

I had the great honor of being in attendance for Saturday’s tilt between the Blues and the Blackhawks.  Despite the result, it was a great time – especially since there were TWO fights in the contest.  The first one – pretty much a hug-out between SIR JAXX (Barret Jackman) and Cam Barker (I blame it on Barker . . . he seemed not ready to throw fists, but . . . oh well) – was scored a draw at Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights, whereas the second fight between Eric Brewer and Andrew Ladd was called in favor of Ladd.  The second fight, I thought, was even, but I also am biased (obviously).  Jackman is now 1-0-2 on the season and Brewer is now 1-1-0.  With the two fights, the Blues did not move up or down in the season standings, holding steady at 5th place with 48 fights on the season and a 21-14-13 season fight record.

The Colorado Avalanche are one of those teams with a mixture of a bit of everything – youth, locker room vets, skill players, tough guys, grinders and big boys.  Much like the rest of the Northwest Division, the Avs are not allergic to fighting – they have fought a collective 43 times on the season, good for 7th place in the National Hockey League.  However, they do not have a propensity to win fights – they’re 7-14-22 on the season, this despite starting the season 0-8-10.  The Blues and Avs did not fight in the previous meeting between the two teams back on December 7th at home.

10 Avs have fought this season, and the leading fighters on the team are wingers Cody McLeod (6’2″, 210lbs, 2-3-8) and David Koci (6’6″, 238lbs, 1-4-5).  As you can see, McLeod is big but Koci (who last season was a Blue for, like, five minutes) is much bigger.  Center Matt Hendricks (6’0″, 215lbs, 1-3-2) is next on the list, but he is on IR with an ankle issue.  Others with multiple fights are winger Chris Stewart (6’2″, 228lbs, 2-0-2), defenseman Ryan Wilson (6’1″, 207lbs, 0-1-2), veteran winger Darcy Tucker (5’10″, 178lbs, 0-1-1) and winger Chris Durno (6’4″, 205lbs, 0-0-2).  Among these fighters are 6 of the 7 fight victories the Avs have recorded this season.  They LIKE to fight, they just don’t WIN fights.

The dream matchup of the evening involves whichever between Cam Janssen and DJ King plays and either Koci or McLeod.  If it’s King, I’d like to see him go at Koci.  If it’s Janssen, he and McLeod match up well size-wise.  I would also not be against a fight between someone like Jackman and a wily veteran like Tucker, although that’s a bit of a size mismatch.

One road game, then back home.  The Blues need to make this one count against a very formidable foe on in Denver.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Here, David Backes shows how to make Jonathan Toews vomit in the penalty box. Twice. Image via stlouisgametime.com on SB Nation

There was only one scrap on Saturday night with the Blue Jackets, and maybe there should have been more.  Jared Boll took on Brad Winchester after Boll made a questionable hit on Jay McClement.  You’d think he’d be smart enough not to pick on the grinder line’s center, especially when said center-on-the-grinder-line is an alternate captain, but Jared seems to be – as noted before – “Strong like Boll, smart like tractor”.  The match was considered a draw since no one really won the fight but both contestants got some good shots in.  Winchester’s season fight record moves to 3-1-3.  The Note hangs on to 5th spot in the league with 46 fights.  Their season fight record is a robust 21-13-12.

Leave it to people like me to make fun of the Chicago Blackhawks.  While many Blues fans have turned most of their hatred to another old Norris Division rival – the Detroit Red Wings – I have stuck with my extreme disdain for the Blackhawks.  Most of it has to do with proximity, but a lot of it has to do with Mike Keenan, among other factors.  So the Blackhawks can have their precious “2nd place in the conference” record, while I point and laugh at their puny 22 fights on the season.  That’s good for a 24th place tie with the New York Islanders, who have maybe a half a fighter on their team.  This from a former Norris Division rival.  PATHETIC, I say!  Amazing even yet, 5 of the 22 fights were in one game – their January 2nd matchup with the Blues in St. Louis.  The Blackhawks somehow were 2-2-1 in those fights – Ben Eager defeated BJ Crombeen, Cam Barker defeated Mike Weaver (after Weaver destroyed Patrick Sharp at the red line), David Backes not only defeated Jonathan Toews but later made him vomit in the penalty box (this fight was the start of the “Inglorious Backes” movement that led to the t-shirt referenced in Jeff’s most recent Monday Musings filing), Carlo Colaiacovo worked a draw with Colin Fraser and Barret Jackman (whom I’ve taken to calling “SIR JAXX” lately, apropos of nothing) took down Eager.  The Blackhawks’ season fight record is a very even 7-8-7.

What’s equally strange about the Blackhawks is the fact that 12 different players have contested their 22 fights on the season.  This type of spread usually happens when a team has no true enforcer.  Only three Blackhawks have thrown the gloves down more than once – center Fraser (6’1″, 190lbs, 0-2-4), winger Eager (6’2″, 230lbs, 3-2-0) and winger Troy Brouwer (6’2″, 214lbs, 1-1-0).  The Blackhawks do possess one able-bodied enforcer in winger Dustin Byfuglien (6’4″, 257lbs, 1-0-0), but no one wants to mess with him . . . and at that size, do you BLAME them?  Yeesh!  Of the 12 fighers, one has been waived and two are currently with Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford (Home of Cheap Trick, the greatest rock band ever to come out of Rockford!).

For whatever reason (probably because he’s a pest with no will to fight real fighters), Eager has rubbed me the wrong way throughout his career.  Therefore, it would be nice (not to mention poetic justice) if either Cam Janssen or the recently-recalled DJ King not only were to play tonight, but were to throw fists into his face.  (If you believe Dan O’Neill’s report from yesterday, they may both be on the same line with McClement)  And if ANY Blue were to challenge Byfuglien (which I don’t suggest), let it be Winchester . . . yes, he gives about 30 pounds to him, but at least the reach advantage is equalized.

I need nothing to get me jacked up for this game.  I may have friends that root for the Blackhawks, but I don’t like their team one bit.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights