Cody McLeod is not afraid of Matt Bradley’s spit-take face. Image via clydeorama/Flickr

Ten goals, two fights and a victory are three good ways to shake out from a hard-battled, emotional road loss 24 hours previous. The St. Louis Blues also got some home-cooked enthusiasm in that 6-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. As for the two fights, they were both draws, though for different reasons I figured an edge would be given either way in both fights. First, Roman Polak FINALLY got on the fight board, and while his fight with Dane Byers (By the way, what in the bloody hell is a Dane Byers?) was adjudged a draw, I thought Polak might have been given the edge in that one because of some post-fight punching by Byers (video here). In the second bout, Ryan Reaves expectedly went at it with Jared Boll, and while Reaves started out decently, I felt Boll might have had the edge because he landed a big shot at the end of the fight (video here). Alas, both fights were called draws, and I can live with that in both instances. Also of note – Polak’s fight with Byers marked the first time a Blues player had picked up a major fighting penalty in nearly three weeks (November 29th, to be exact, was the previous time). The Blues now move into a tie for 16th in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets, each team earning 13 fighting majors on the season thus far. Adding the two draws, the Blues now hold a fight record of 5-1-7.

And the boys go back to Denver. It’s a two-game Mountain Time Zone swing that the Blues go on, first visiting “The Land of Tebow” (Yes, I am a long-time Denver Broncos football fan, sorry) and squaring off with the Colorado Avalanche. We covered this team a few weeks back (December 2nd, to be exact), and all things considered, when you take away the record and the goaltending, this is pretty much the Blues – a few studs offensively, a couple blue-line standouts and a few brawlers. But that goaltending . . . well, we’ll just leave that alone, as it’s not my area of expertise. The Avalanche have fought 14 times now this season, all alone in 15th in the NHL in that category. The Avs are a mediocre 3-6-5 in those fights.

This is about the point in the season where I forget about telling you how these teams fared in fights last year, as every team is now at least 30 games deep into the season. So let’s recap how individual Avs have fared in fights during the 2011-2012 season, shall we?

The team is led, not surprisingly, by fighter extraordinaire Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 2-3-1) with six fights on the season. Following him are a trio of players with two fighting majors each – Shane O’Brien (6’3”, 230lbs, 1-0-1), Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 0-0-2, on IR with a head injury) and David Jones (6’2”, 210lbs, Day-To-Day with a groin injury). Two Avs players have fought once each, they are Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss) and Daniel Winnik (6’2”, 210lbs, Loss).

While McLeod may be a touch undersized for Reaves, the Manitoba native would likely not back down from a challenge by Reaves. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if McLeod challenged Reaves to a fight. But who knows what will happen, really? I’m just saying that McLeod and Reaves is the best bet.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Derek Dorsett seems unaware that Kyle Clifford could kill him. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

I love hard-fought victories. The St. Louis Blues were able to eke out a win over the Calgary Flames by a 2-0 score, and a fight with an unexpected result took place. Ryan Reaves, starting to assert himself as one of the league’s big bruisers, took on one of the toughest SOB’s in hockey today in Tim Jackman and absolutely eviscerated him for an easy victory (see the video here). The Blues are now sliding up the National Hockey League fight standings, now holding in an eight-team tie for 13th in the league with nine fighting majors on the season. The team’s fight record now slides up to 5-0-4. Nice work, gentlemen.

And now, the squad’s first encounter with the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets, in “The House That The Ohio State University Built”, Nationwide Arena (let’s not kid ourselves, folks). The Jackets made a slew of moves this offseason that seemingly foretold a run at the playoffs to be coming in ’11-’12. What they forgot to do is get a goaltender that did not suck like a vacuum cleaner, and the team staggered out of the gate in epic fashion. With the return of the squad’s biggest offseason acquisition, Jeff Carter, from an early-season injury, the Jackets seem to have stabilized themselves. But can they contend in a very rugged Central Division and Western Conference after having such a horrible start? The rest of the season will tell us the answer. For now, though, the Jackets are all alone in second place in the NHL behind the New York Rangers with 18 (18!) fighting majors on the season. Their fight record stands at a rather unimpressive 5-8-5, however. In 2010-2011, the Jackets were eighth in the NHL with 54 fights, holding a record of 14-21-19.

Of Jackets players that have fought this season, Derek Dorsett (6’0”, 192lbs, 1-4-3) is second in the league amongst individuals with eight fights on the season. Former Senators farmhand Cody Bass (6’0”, 205lbs, 1-3-1) and the ever-violent Jared Boll (6’2”, 219lbs, 1-1-1) follow him with five and three fights respectively, and two players with one fight each include familiar face Kris Russell (5’10”, 172lbs, Win, now with the Blues) and another big Jackets acquisition over the summer, former Canadien James Wisniewski (6’0”, 208lbs, Win). Among players currently on the Jackets roster, the fighters from last year go like this: Boll (6-8-9) was third among individual fighters last year with 23 majors. Dorsett (5-9-3) was tied for sixth among individuals with 17 fighting majors. After that, it gets hairy: Marc Methot (6’3”, 227lbs, 0-1-1) and Derek MacKenzie (5’11”, 180lbs, 0-1-1) each fought twice and former Penguin Mark Letestu (5’11”, 195lbs, Draw), the aforementioned former Flyer Carter (6’4”, 199lbs, Draw), Derick Brassard (6’1”, 202lbs, Draw) and former Islander Radek Martinek (6’2”, 210lbs, Loss, on IR with a concussion) each have fought once.

There’s a lot of possibilities between these two teams, that have already had a testy past not only because of division familiarity but some feuding about silly things such as “kicking a soccer ball around in the cavernous bowels of the arena” (REALLY, GUYS . . . GET A GRIP). Reaves and Boll match up very well size-wise, though Boll gives a lot of weight up to Reaves and is coming off a broken thumb. Otherwise, I’d think Dorsett would make a decent fight matchup with Scott Nichol or Matt D’Agostini, but you’re likely not going to see either of those guys go at it with Dorsett, and it’s not like Dorsett is a spectacular fighter to begin with. Or maybe Russell has a former teammate he’d like to go at it with? We shall see.

Ken Hitchcock returns to Columbus. Will the results be positive for the Blue Note? I hope so.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

My man-crush with Derek Dorsett. I bet Iginla won. Image via Yahoo

I was honored to be witness to the Awesome That Is Jarome Iginla in the Blues’ 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday.  And yes, I do have a BIT of a man-crush on Iginla.  While that’s true, I do still wish he had not single-handedly beaten my team like that.  Oh well, some things are unavoidable.  But what I wish WERE avoidable were the lack of fisticuffs, which Friday’s game definitely included.  There WAS some testiness, but no fights came of it.  So the Blues remain at 72 fighting majors on the season, still leading the pack in the NHL.  Their fight record holds steady at 30-21-21.

The Columbus Blue Jackets seem to hate the Blues.  The Blues seem to not really care, except when a Blue Jackets player decides they want to fight another Blues player, and then things get cool.  See, the Blue Jackets are to the Blues what the Blues are to the Detroit Red Wings: Yeah, we don’t really like you, but you really don’t matter to us.  It’s an odd thing, and something I’ve noticed over the years.  And then there was the whole thing with Samuel Pahlsson carelessly dropping TJ Oshie awkwardly and breaking his ankle in the first meeting between the two clubs on the season, and confusion further sets in.  Anyway, we’ve covered the Jackets on several occasions this season (November 10th, December 9th, January 22nd, March 7th and March 9th).  The Jackets have collected 51 fighting majors on the season, currently earning them a tie for seventh place in the NHL with the Dallas Stars.  Their fight record is not terrible but not terrific at 13-19-19.

Jared Boll (6’3”, 210lbs, 6-8-9 with a draw to Cam Janssen that really should have been a Janssen win, a virtually unanimous win over BJ Crombeen and a loss to Janssen) is one of the top fighters in the NHL with 23 on the season.  Derek Dorsett (5’11”, 187lbs, 4-9-3 with a loss to Crombeen, a draw with Brad Winchester and an EPIC LOSS to Chris Stewart) also is one of the top fighters in the NHL with 16 on the season.  From there, it gets a bit thin . . . .  Tom Sestito (6’5”, 228lbs, 3-0-1, traded to Philadelphia at the deadline) has 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 . . . yes, he LOST TO TYSON STRACHAN WHO NEVER WINS FIGHTS) each have fought twice.  Derick Brassard (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw) and Derek MacKenzie (5’11”, 178lbs, Draw) each have garnered one fighting major this season.

I would be naïve to think Janssen-Boll won’t happen again.  I would also be naïve to think that there would be no fights in this game, as these teams have squared off eight times thus far this season, and this is the last game between the two teams in the 2010-2011 campaign.  I have a good feeling that if Ryan Reaves plays, he will get involved as well, but I’m not sure with whom.

If they don’t win, I won’t be sorely disappointed as long as the Blues play hard and play with pride.  I’ve gotten to that point.  So what will it be, boys?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Amazing how quickly a game in the NHL can change.

One period the Columbus Blue Jackets are all over the Blues thanks to a better work ethic and poor officiating. By the end, the good guys were pushing back and scoring big goals. Maybe we’re finally starting to see the resiliency and maturity needed for this group of guys to grow in to their potential.

Ian Cole, for better and worse, had a heck of a night. Besides having his first career NHL goal called back due to “goalie interference” on Cam Janssen (helped by a Jared Boll slew foot) he was checked in to Jaroslav Halak which dislodged the net. Somehow the penalty call was on #23 in white and the Jackets scored on the subsequent power play. Making the game 2-0 bad guys.

The Notre Dame standout had the final laugh. Not letting the calls get to him, he powered on to a solid game the rest of the way. Blocking 6 shots, registering 4 hits (a team high in both categories) and eventually netting his first career goal (for keeps) to close the gap to 3-2.

The man of the night was Chris “Muther F’N” Stewart. He was johnny on the spot to tie the game at 3-3 on a rebound play created by David Backes and Cole about 4 minutes after the latter’s tally. Stewie’s biggest impact came in overtime.On a play that cannot be described in words because of it’s awesomeness. It must be watched below.

Who say’s power forwards can’t rush end to end like dipsy-doodle danglers?
When was the last time the Blues had a player who has enough talent to pull off that move and finish?

Credit Halak with not being rattled after giving up 3 goals. His 19 saves on 22 shots doesn’t look impressive statistically, but got the job done none the less. That’s all they need.

Blue Jackets netminder Mathieu Garon didn’t get much help from his defense. Screens, blown coverages and being caught flat footed cost him the win. He stopped just 22 of 26 shots.

Alex Pietrangelo lead in ice time again, 24:11, and was a Plus-2 with a laser wrister for a goal along with a pair of blocked shots.

The Blues may be too far back and they gave up points to Columbus, but wins are wins. Take them everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. It’s too hard to come back down to reality after such a frustrating game turned in to such an epic comeback. Part of me wants to pull out the Toronto Maple Leafs argument. Now that the pressure is off they are flying high. Sure, could say that, but not buying it today.

Quick Hits

- Alex Steen went down hard in to the corner after Marc Methot pushed him while off balance. Methot didn’t seem to have any sinister intentions, but the play resulted in Steen not returning to the game. Potentially a big loss for the Blues as Steener is arguably the most consistent player they’ve had from day one of the season.

- Patrik Berglund looked good. Keeps proving me wrong for wanting to keep Lars Eller over him this past summer. I hope he does. A solid 18+ minutes and 3 shots on goal. There was some concern that he and TJ Hensick wouldn’t be able to play due to injuries from Monday’s affair. However they both skated just fine.

- Ryan Reaves’ effectiveness in 5-7 minutes a night > Cam Janssen’s effectiveness in 5-7 minutes a night.

Three Blues Stars

3. Alex Pietrnagelo
2. Ian Cole
1. Chris Stewart

Next Up

The Montreal Canadiens come to town Thursday night. Game starts at 7:00 pm on FSMW (HD) and KMOX.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

Boll and Janssen ran around the merry-go-round AGAIN on Monday. Image via Zimbio

RIGHT OFF THE HOP: Enjoy Jeff’s new Blues Fight Card pieces.  He might not be as passionate about hockey fights as I am, but I can’t help but be proud of him for taking an idea revolving around fighting and just running with it.  Nice work, Jeff!  (And I do know from personal knowledge that Jeff DOES enjoy hockey fights and knows and appreciates their role in the sport of hockey, much like I do.)

After one of the most disappointing efforts of the year, the Blues came home with much more spirit and jump with a 5-4 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.  And we saw not one but TWO fights in the first two minutes of action!  First it was Chris Stewart’s first fight as a member of the Blues, squaring off with and soundly pasting Derek Dorsett (video here).  Then, no more than a handful of seconds later, Cam Janssen and Jared Boll squared off in an epic fight for the ages – a marathon bout in which Janssen was given the decision (video here – getcha popcorn ready).  That brings the Blues to 64 total fighting majors on the season, sliding past the Boston Bruins into second place alone in the NHL at the moment.  Their fight record, with the two wins, now stands at 27-19-18.  (By the way, with two fight wins, wouldn’t that be “Bi-Winning?” by the Blues?  “Tri-Winning” for also getting the game victory?  Hey, at least I still have a job while Charlie Sheen doesn’t.  Still wish I had his money, though.)

Well, there’s not much to say in this space more than that we’ve covered it all before . . . y’know, like two days ago.  But anyway, since there are changes to the totals, we’ll spend a bit of time on the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fighting ability (read: they DO have fighting ability).  Monday’s two fights pulled the Jackets into eighth all alone with 46 fighting majors on the season.  Their record in those fights dipped a bit, but is still somewhat respectable at 12-17-17.  We have covered the Blue Jackets on four other occasions previously (November 10th, December 9th and January 22nd plus the above-linked report from Monday), and the two teams have fought against each other now eight times this season (see two video links above and six of them below).

We’ll start with the leaders, Boll (6’3”, 210lbs, 5-7-8, Third individually in the NHL with a draw to Janssen that really should have been a Janssen win and a unanimous win over BJ Crombeen as well as the above loss to Janssen) with 20 fights and Dorsett (5’11”, 187lbs, 4-8-3, Now tied for fourth WITH Crombeen individually in the NHL with a loss to Crombeen and a draw with Brad “F.” Winchester as well as the above loss to Stewart) with 15.  Following is 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) has one fighting major this season.

I reiterate my wish for Ryan Reaves to get into a fight with Boll.  Can we get a time machine to assure that it DOES happen this time?  Please?!

Home-and-homes are kinda boring when meaningless, unless the other team’s trying to get you to hate them.  Guess what the Blue Jackets trying to do to me?!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

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Derek Dorsett vs Chris Stewart

The first tussle was between well known pugilist Derek Dorsett and Chris “Lightning Can’t StrikeTwice & Break My Hand” Stewart. The fight came less than 30 seconds after the Patrik Berglund goal that opened the scoring at the 1:24 mark. Just keep saying “Jarome Iginla”, hopefully dreams come true.

Vote for a winner here. Stewie is clearly the winner.

Jared Boll vs Cam Janssen

Another marathon battle for “Bam Bam Cam” Janssen. He knows Mr. Boll very well. The two have traded punches three times previously. I wish I could find a video of Boll charging a Bleus defenseman later in the game, missing and flying in to the boards like the Hispanic kid in the Mighty Ducks movies.

Vote for a winner here. A draw with a slight edge going to Cam.

Reaves, Because I Have To

So no one wanted to dance with my boy Ryan Reaves, aka Mike Singletary on Skates. Craig Rivet came close, but just didn’t happen, but I so wish it did. To celebrate the (at one time) Afro-ed brawler, here is an oldie but a goodie. Love ya Cam, but can’t wait to have Reaves as a full time deterrent.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

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

This Winchester-McLeod fight was from ’08-‘09. Image via USA Today

Well, that was a disappointing and disheartening 5-2 Blues loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.  I was so sure of a comeback, too.  At least the Blues were able to work three fights out of the Jackets, though.  Brad Winchester worked a draw with Derek Dorsett in a fight where, had Winchester used his size advantage, Dorsett would have been crushed.  Before tying the game in the second period, Jared Boll soundly defeated BJ Crombeen.  And Tyson Strachan edged Marc Methot in a fight that wasn’t much to write home about.  These three fights pull the Blues into a temporary first-place tie with the Anaheim Ducks at 48 fighting majors apiece.  The Blues fight record goes to 19-17-12 on the season.

This is the second matchup between the Blues and Colorado Avalanche (November 15th report here).  The Avs are a young, skilled team, and I was surprised to find out they were so low in the fight standings on the season.  But the proof is in the numbers, folks.  The Avs are 23rd in the league with 19 fighting majors on the season.  There is good news: the Avs are good at fighting when they do, as their 7-6-6 fight record would show.  And they fought three times with the Blues in the previous matchup.

Cody McLeod (6’2”, 210lbs, 4-2-1 including a draw with Winchester) leads the team with seven fights.  Following him are Chris Stewart (6’2”, 228lbs, 1-0-1) and Ryan Wilson (6’1”, 207lbs, 1-0-1) with two fights each.  The rest of the fighters have fought once each, and they are David Liffiton (6’2”, 210lbs, Win, currently with Lake Erie of the AHL), veteran Adam Foote (6’2”, 220lbs, Draw), Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, Draw), John-Michael Liles (5’10”, 185lbs, Loss), Phillipe Dupuis (6’0”, 196lbs, Loss), Matt Duchene (5’11”, 200lbs, Loss . . . to Vladimir Sobotka), Ryan O’Byrne (6’5”, 234lbs, Loss . . . to Crombeen) and former Blue David Koci (6’6”, 238lbs, Loss).

It would lend to common sense that there would be some fisticuffs in this game.  With the sending down of Ryan Reaves, it’s quite possible we see Cam Janssen re-enter the lineup.  He’s a bit smaller than both McLeod and Stewart, but we all know he could easily hold his own against either of them.  Crombeen matches up size-wise with both McLeod and Stewart, and it’s possible he could go at it with either one of them.  And it’s doubtful Koci plays (he’s been a healthy scratch a lot lately), but if he does, Winchester would be a good test for him in a battle of heavyweights.

A couple wins heading into the All-Star Break would be magnificent.  Get the first one tonight, boys.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Jared Boll looks like he just got poked in the ass or something. Image via SB Nation

Not that it was unexpected, but the Blues and Detroit Red Wings did not drop the gloves in the Wings’ 4-3 overtime win on Thursday (though there was a really cool jousting match by Justin Abdelkader and Barret Jackman after Jaroslav Halak’s HUGE incredible late-regulation save).  So The Note stays at 45 fighting majors on the season, still good for second in the NHL only behind the Anaheim Ducks.  Their fight record still stands at 18-16-11.

It’s another division rival, so it’s another recap of previous reports when it comes to the Columbus Blue Jackets (November 10th and December 9th).  Something good has happened since the last time the Blues played the Jackets – the Jackets started FIGHTING!  They were somewhere around the second- or third-tier of fighting teams back then, but now they’re around the first- or second-tier level.  They still have a ways to go before they reach the top shelf, like where the Ducks, Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins (and others) find themselves right now.  Anyway, on the season the Jackets have collected 29 fighting majors, good for a tie for 12th in the NHL with the league-best Philadelphia Flyers.  Their fight record has also improved since last time around – a somewhat-reasonable 9-12-8.  So as you see, they’re much better at this fisticuffs business than our “friends” from Detroit.

Jared Boll (6’3”, 210lbs, 4-5-4 including this draw with Cam Janssen) is the annual team leader in fights, and it’s no different this season – he has 13, and is tied for third among individual NHL fighters as well.  Derek Dorsett (5’11”, 187lbs, 2-6-1 including this loss to BJ Crombeen) has fought nine times on the season.  Tom Sestito (6’5”, 228lbs, 3-0-1, currently with Springfield of the AHL) used his brief call-up to register four fights.  Mike Commodore (6’5”, 235lbs, 0-1-1, also with Springfield after a messy waiver push-through) has fought twice, and Chris Clark (6’0”, 196lbs, Draw – with Nathan Oystrick) has fought once.

With the emergence of Ryan Reaves, I would have to pick him to be the most likely to fight someone tonight.  I hope he has the intestinal fortitude to take on Boll, who matches up almost perfectly with Reaves size-wise.  Saving that, maybe Crombeen will pick a fight with someone, but hopefully it won’t be Dorsett this time because easy fights are just . . . blah.

The Red Wings game was not demoralizing by any means, and this team plays well at home against Columbus traditionally.  Here’s to a Blues victory!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

And with this, Matt Bradley’s sinuses are cleared. Thanks, Troy Bodie! Image via Yahoo by way of the Associated Press

Well, it was nice to get vengeance on the Columbus Blue Jackets, wasn’t it?  The Blues’ 4-1 home win over the Jackets on Thursday, combined with the 3-2 win Sunday in Vancouver, showed me that the team is not ready to give up on the season yet.  And there was a fight, and a good one at that, between two willing competitors – Jared Boll and Cam Janssen.  You could nitpick and award a slight edge to Janssen for the way he finished the fight, but really, the way it was contested, you could give nothing other than a draw.  Nice fighting, boys!  Here’s the video.  The Blues have now fought 29 times on the season, currently good for a tie for second in the NHL with the New York Rangers.  Their fight record now stands at 15-7-7.

This will probably be the most boring Throwdown Lowdown of the season, as the Carolina Hurricanes have shown themselves to be the least pugilistic team in the league as far as getting into fights.  They have fought five (FIVE!) times on the season . . . but two of those fights were by a guy who was just traded to Calgary and one of those fights was by a guy just picked up off waivers.  More on all that noise in a bit, but let’s get to the heart of the matter first: the five fights puts the ‘Canes in DEAD LAST in the NHL fighting-wise.  But usually, when a team doesn’t fight often, they pick and choose their battles well.  Not these guys.  The Hurricanes have amassed a pretty horrendous 1-3-1 fight record.  Owie.

The man that was traded to Calgary?  That was Tom Kostopoulos (6’0”, 200lbs, 0-2-0 before the trade, 0-2-1 overall).  The man claimed off waivers?  That would be former Duck Troy Bodie (Pictured above, 6’4”, 196lbs, 1-0-0 since the claim, 1-1-0 overall).  The other two fights were courtesy of Jay Harrison (6’4”, 211lbs, 0-1-1).  Harrison defeated Brad Winchester in a fight last season – video evidence is here.  Harrison also gets points for sharing a last name with my favorite Beatle, George Harrison.

So I’m not going to anticipate a fight in this one, but you know what would be really nice?  Most other captains in the league lead by example, and sometimes that requires fisticuffs – our own Eric Brewer is quite familiar with this concept.  Eric Staal, the face of the Hurricanes and their current captain, will have to learn this at some point, even if he is a mega-star and super-talented.  Maybe he’ll get into it tonight with someone – say, David Backes, maybe?  We’ll see.

Three wins in a row?  Why, that would be lovely.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights