Jordin Tootoo pictured in front of a Lemonheads sign is about the most Jordin Tootoo thing ever. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

The St. Louis Blues didn’t need that 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes as much as the Yotes needed the win, but they sure played like it. It may have had something to do with the end of a long road trip. It was brilliant to watch. While there were a couple near-skirmishes, there were no fighting majors handed out in this contest, though. So the Blues stay at 38 fights on the National Hockey League season, good for a tie with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils for eighth position on that ladder, and the team’s fight record sticks at 16-5-17.

Wait, the Blues are allowed to play home games? WOW! Anyway, now comes an important home date with the Nashville Predators, a team the Blues have struggled to defeat all season. How badly? Well, the Preds are 4-0-1 against the Blues and, summarily, the Blues are 1-2-2 against this team. But this is a different Predators team than the Blues have played all season, one that’s retooled for a postseason run but is measurably slower in many areas than this current Blues squad, which is something the Blues should take advantage of. We have covered the Preds on five occasions already this season (October 8th, December 17th, December 30th, February 4th and February 23rd). Yes, this does mean that this is the last matchup between the two squads in the regular season, which – considering these two squads could be on a collision course for a Western Conference Semifinals or Western Conference Finals matchup, makes this game VERY important. What doesn’t help matters as far as this report is concerned is the fact that the Preds don’t fight much . . . they are 28th in the NHL with 19 fights on the season, sporting a pretty good record at 8-5-5.

Preds players who have fought this year begin with journeyman enforcer Brian McGrattan (6’4”, 235lbs, 5-1-0 including a Win over Ryan Reaves, Day-To-Day with the dreaded “Upper Body Injury”) with six fighting majors on the season, Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 2-1-2), with five and Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, 1-0-1, claimed off waivers from Colorado) with two. Solo fighters as Preds include Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw, traded to the Canadiens as part of the Gill deal), Matt Halischuk (6’0”, 185lbs, Draw), Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss, Day-To-Day with a groin injury), Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, Loss) and Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, Loss to Reaves, currently with Milwaukee of the AHL). Other players to look out for are Paul Gaustad (6’5”, 212lbs, 2-2-0 as a Sabre, traded by Buffalo at the deadline) and Hal Gill (6’7”, 241lbs, Loss as a Canadien, traded by Montreal before the deadline).

Being that McGrattan hasn’t been playing lately, the likelihood of a fight doesn’t seem very high. But something could happen, such as Tootoo going after someone like Barret Jackman. That may be unexpected as well, but anything is possible, I suppose. But don’t count on a fight tonight.

Win hockey games.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Looks like you won’t be seeing this guy tonight. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

The way this season has gone, what is happening right now is definitely a “losing skid”. The St. Louis Blues played porous-at-times defense and didn’t capitalize on opportunities given to them, and therefore lost 4-2 to the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Boston Bruins, in their first regulation defeat at home since December 3rd. But there was a fight in the contest! We recapped the scrap between Adam McQuaid and BJ Crombeen on The Fight Card late last night, and since that reporting, I can tell you that McQuaid – as I had anticipated might happen – took the victory in this one. I can’t argue with that. STOP WITH THE SWEATER JABS, BEEJ. The Blues move up to 29 fighting majors collected on the season, currently good for a tie for 10th in the National Hockey League in the category with the Winnipeg Jets. With the loss, the Blues’ fight record dips to 13-5-11.

Non-stop action ensues, as the Blues now trek back down to Tennessee for one final regular season road matchup with the Nashville Predators. There’s not much to add that I’ve not already added about these guys, so I’ll link you to the four times the Blues have played the Preds this year and the fight reports that preceded them (October 8th, December 17th, December 30th and February 4th). Currently the Preds are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix Coyotes for 25th in the NHL with 16 fights, but don’t let that count fool you . . . these guys tend to win more fights than lose. They’re 8-4-4 in those 16 bouts.

Preds players who have fought this year begin with journeyman enforcer Brian McGrattan (6’4”, 235lbs, 4-1-0 including a Win over Ryan Reaves, on IR with the dreaded “Upper Body Injury”) with six fighting majors on the season and one of my least favorite NHL players, Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 2-0-1), with three. Solo fighters include Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, Win as a Predator, had not fought as an Avalanche player this season), Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw, traded to the Canadiens as part of the Hal Gill deal and currently with Hamilton of the AHL), Matt Halischuk (6’0”, 185lbs, Draw), Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss), Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, Loss) and Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, Loss to Reaves, currently with Milwaukee of the AHL).

If McGrattan weren’t on IR, I would definitely pick a rematch between him and Reaves as a sure bet to happen. Without McGrattan, I find it perfectly fine to end this game without any kind of fisticuffs. Well, kinda, but you know what I mean.

Jesus, can we just go ahead and win ONE game over Nashville this season? Hell, it can be in overtime or a shootout, I just don’t care. Win.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

If you remember the old Roller Hockey International League, this guy – Francis Bouillon – played in it. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

It can never be pretty, but it can always be effective. That’s a pretty accurate description of many of the St. Louis Blues’ wins this season, and the 1-0 victory last night over the Los Angeles Kings was no exception to that edict. Despite some excitement, there were no fighting majors issued in this contest, so the Blues remain at 24 fighting majors collected on the National Hockey League season, which is good for 12th place all by their lonesome in said category. The Blues’ fight record remains at 12-2-10.

There’s no rest for the weary, so the Blues now take the short flight to Tennessee for a date with the Nashville Predators. Over recent years, experts have taken to calling the Preds the “Detroit Red Wings of the South”. I disagree with it for several reasons . . . 1) The Wings tend to retain their young talent, the Preds do not. 2) Preds fans are, on average, more likable than Wings fans, judging by Preds fans’ tolerance of me through drunken ramblings while in their presence in their fair city, as opposed to idiotic screed I’ve seen from Wings fans over the years. 3) Playoff success over the years is just not matched between the two. 4) As much as I like Shea Weber as a player (and I think he’s one of the best defenseman in the league), he probably won’t ever hold a candle to Nicklas Lidstrom, simply one of the greatest defensemen I’ve ever seen. 5) Pekka Rinne blows Jimmy Howard out of the water talent-wise and in terms of long-term success potential. And finally . . . 6) Downtown Nashville is about a gazillion times better than Downtown Detroit. We’ve covered the Preds three times here on the Throwdown Lowdown report previously (October 8th, December 17th and December 30th). Since the last time the Blues played the Preds, only two fights have been added, so they’re now up to 15 fighting majors on the season, good for a tie for 23rd place in the NHL with the now-less-than-truculent Toronto Maple Leafs in that category. Despite the lack of fights, their fight record is pretty decent at 7-4-4.

Preds players who have fought this year begin with journeyman enforcer Brian McGrattan (6’4”, 235lbs, 4-1-0) with five fighting majors on the season and one of my least favorite NHL players, Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 2-0-1), with three. Solo fighters include newly-acquired Brandon Yip (6’1”, 195lbs, Win as a Predator, had not fought as an Avalanche player this season), Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw, currently with AHL Milwaukee), Matt Halischuk (6’0”, 185lbs, Draw), Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss), Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, Loss) and Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, Loss to Ryan Reaves, currently with AHL Milwaukee).

Will there be a fight in this one? It’s not overly likely, but I will not rule it out. Other than video clips, I’ve never seen Bouillon get into a fight. The problem here is that while he’s tougher than a two-dollar steak, he’s undersized, limiting his matchup options. But he could go with someone like Scott Nichol, I suppose, in a fight that would be chock full of grit.

So . . . one win over Nashville. Would it kill you boys to do this much?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Lemonheads ad? Yeah, that’s about appropriate. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

40 minutes of awesome, 20 minutes of fail. That would describe what happened Tuesday night in Detroit as the St. Louis Blues let a 2-0 (then a 2-1) lead slip through their hands in the third period. To their credit, the Detroit Red Wings played magnificently (especially that goaltender) in the third period to earn the 3-2 victory, but it was definitely aided by a bit of a collapse by the defensive corps of the Blues. Quite predictably, despite the Blues taking the fight to the Wings as they usually do, neither team shed the gloves. So The Note stays at 14 fights on the season, good for a tie for 17th in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars in that category. The team’s fight record still sits at 5-2-7.

A familiar foe now comes to town in the form of the Nashville Predators. I recently visited the fair city this team plays its’ home games in, and let me tell you . . . it is a fun city, especially if you like to partake in the adult libations of many types. Also of note . . . they serve 24-ounce cans of Budweiser AT the building that used to be known as the Gaylord Entertainment Center. I found this to be quite awesome. I will be making a return trip to Nashville. Anyway, as for the Preds, we’ve covered them twice here on the Throwdown Lowdown report previously (October 8th and December 17th). The Preds have fought nearly as many times as the Blues have this season, which is generally unusual for them, earning 13 fighting majors thus far this season. Their fight record is pretty decent, though, at 6-4-3.

Not much has changed since December 17th, really. Preds players who have fought this year begin with journeyman enforcer Brian McGrattan (6’4”, 235lbs, 4-1-0) with five fighting majors on the season and one of my least favorite NHL players, Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 2-0-0), with two (though I will say, I’m glad to hear Tootoo has been sober for one year . . . terrific news). Solo fighters include Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw, recently recalled from AHL Milwaukee), Matt Halischuk (6’0”, 185lbs, Draw), Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss), Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, Loss) and Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, Loss to Ryan Reaves, currently with AHL Milwaukee).

Unlike any game involving the Wings, there is at least a glimmer of hope that there will be a fight in this contest, especially if McGrattan suits up. Reaves is now out with a rib injury, being placed on IR to allow BJ Crombeen to come back from his major shoulder injury. I think Crombeen WILL go with McGrattan if both suit up, though that’s a really tough matchup for Crombeen.

A great way to close out the 2011 home slate would be a victory over a fierce division rival. Whaddaya say, gang?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Does this look like a face-puncher? Well, it is. Image via BridgetDS/Flickr

Two things completely unexpected happened in Thursday night’s 4-1 St. Louis Blues home victory over the New York Rangers. First, the Blues were able to dominate action for about 45 of the 60 minutes of play despite a full four-day layoff. Secondly, there was only one penalty called, and at that, it was a petty holding call deep in the Rangers’ zone. This means that there were no fighting majors recorded by either team – which included the Rangers, one of the most punch-happy teams in the National Hockey League. So the Blues stay at 11 fighting majors collected on the season, good for a tie for 20th in the NHL in the category with the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Perspective to be found here – Ottawa Senators forward Zenon Konopka has 11 fights BY HIMSELF, which would tie him INDIVIDUALLY with the Blues, Oilers and Leafs in the fight standings. Yikes. The Blue Note’s fight record remains at 5-1-5. Smashville? More like Twangville to me, but I think I can manage. I am typing at you live from a hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee in preparation to watch tonight’s Blues game with the Nashville Predators. We covered this team way back on October 8th here on the Throwdown Lowdown report. You’ll find almost everything you need to know about last year’s fighters on this Predators squad and how they did as a team after dropping the gloves last season. But what you really need to know here is this – despite the divisional rivalry and matchup, expecting a fight in this contest is not exactly the wisest thing to do. That said, the Preds have fought a little more often than the Blues this season – 13 times, in fact, which ties them for 12th in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild in that category. The Preds’ fight record is alright as well – 6-3-4.

Preds players who have fought this year begin with journeyman enforcer Brian McGrattan (6’4”, 235lbs, 4-0-1) with five fighting majors on the season and one of my least favorite NHL players, Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 2-0-0), with two. Solo fighters include Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Draw), Matt Halischuk (6’0”, 185lbs, Draw), Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss), Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, Loss) and Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, Loss to Ryan Reaves).

I fully do not expect to see a fight in tonight’s contest, but if it does happen, expect it to be early and expect McGrattan to mix it up with Reaves. I’ve seen sillier things happen.

Time to turn Smashville into . . . something other than Smashville. Whaddaya say, gang?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Our old friend, Cam Janssen, fighting Tom Kostopoulos. Image via Zimbio

Well, things went a bit awry for our beloved St. Louis Blues in the season and home opener, taking it on the chin in a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. But there’s good news here, and it comes in two parts: 1) It’s only one hockey game out of 82, and 2) Ryan Reaves scored a one-punch knockdown victory over Zack Stortini, followed by Stortini thinking the fight wasn’t over (it was . . . jerk. STAY DOWN!) and a couple five-minute fighting majors being handed out (video evidence here). So that gives the Blues one fight on the young season, and they are 1-0-0, at least in THAT category.

Of all teams that were enigmas last year both in the standings and on the fight scorecard, one of the most shining examples of such lunacy was the Calgary Flames. They began the season as a laughingstock, and there were even rumo(u)rs that the face of their franchise – Captain Jarome Iginla – was on the trading block. They fought a lot early in the season. Then they made some managerial moves, swung a few trades, and they stopped fighting and started playing some winning hockey. Up until about late-March, they were in line to possibly steal a playoff spot. Then, they faded, and the season ended with the Flames outside the playoff picture. But they still didn’t fight much, and they finished 18th in the National Hockey League with 35 fighting majors, going a not-horrible 10-15-10 in those fights. In their first and only game thus far this season – a 5-3 home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins – the Flames did not fight anyone.

Among players now playing for the Flames, last year’s fight records do show some things. Tim Jackman (6’4”, 220lbs, 3-6-3) leads the way with 12 fights.  He is followed by the man I call the “Greek God of Violence”, Tom Kostopoulos (6’0”, 200lbs, 1-4-1) with six fights. Following him are Mark Giordano (6’0”, 203lbs, 1-1-1) and Cory Sarich (6’4”, 207lbs, 0-2-1) with three fights each.  My favorite NHL player to watch that has never been a Blue, the aforementioned Iginla (6’1”, 207lbs, 1-0-1), checks in with two fights.  Solo fighters include Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (6’2”, 215lbs, Win), former Blue Lee Stempniak (6’0”, 201lbs, Draw), Raitis Ivanans (6’4”, 240lbs, Loss, on IR with Post Concussion Syndrome), Brendan Mikkelson (6’3”, 205lbs, Loss), Olli Jokinen (6’3”, 215lbs, Loss) and Curtis Glencross (6’1”, 200lbs, Loss).

Tim Jackman and Reaves seem to be about the most perfect matchup anyone could think of, as they match up well size-wise and violence-wise. I will be disappointed if that fight does not come to fruition. For hilarity, look for Iginla and David Backes, two beloved Captains squaring off. Being that these two are my top hockey man-crushes, I might cream myself if that happens. (Okay, probably not.)

Second game of the season, and my first in person. Bring home a win, boys.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

ZACK STORTINI! He made the Preds roster . . . somehow. Image via Zimbio

It’s “BACK TO SCHOOL” time, and classes are back in session at PunchFace University! And no one could be any more excited about it than I am.

It is so grand to be back in business after a long offseason. When I say “long offseason”, I mean it . . . with the deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, Wade Belak and the whole Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team that included the likes of Pavol Demitra and Igor Korolev looming heavy, the very thought of hockey looming was too much to keep away from. But now, we’re back!

The St. Louis Blues finished 2010-2011 having “earned” the most major fighting penalties in the National Hockey League with a whopping 78 of them, earning 33 victories, suffering 23 defeats and working 22 draws, according to Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights. I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble, but I anticipate that the Blues may fight a bit less this year than years’ past.  With Cam Janssen now in New Jersey and with BJ Crombeen expected to be out an extended period of time, not to mention the influx of talent that is expected to be on the ice nightly, the role of the enforcer is slowly diminishing from this franchise.  Not only that, the new emphasis on suspending players for stupid plays such as head shots and boarding may cause a trend downward league-wide away from fighting.  But as with everything, we will see how it all plays out.

Our beloved Blues begin the season with Central Division rivals (but for how much longer?), the Nashville Predators.  Out of six games contested between the Blues and Preds last season, there was only one fight, and neither contestant will be on the ice tonight – Shane O’Brien, now of the Colorado Avalanche, squared off against Crombeen, now on injured reserve with a broken shoulder blade, in an October 14th fight in Nashville that Crombeen won relatively easily. In fact, the Predators finished second-to-last in the NHL with 18 fights during the 2010-2011 season. On a positive note for them, their fight record wasn’t horrible – 7-7-4.

Among those currently on the Preds roster, former Oilers enforcer Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, 1-5-2) leads the way with eight fights contested before he was sent to the minors. Jordin Tootoo (5’9”, 199lbs, 3-0-1) leads the team among players returning to the team from last year’s playoff run with four fights.  Francis Bouillon (5’8”, 198lbs, 1-1-1, on IR with Post-Concussion Syndrome) contested in three fights, while Kevin Klein (6’1”, 200lbs, 0-1-1) participated in two scraps. One fight each were contested by Mike Fisher (6’1”, 208lbs, Win), Blake Geoffrion (6’1”, 190lbs, Win), Islanders import Jack Hillen (5’10”, 190lbs, Loss) and Colin Wilson (6’1”, 210lbs, Loss).

The best opportunity we will see for a fight on Opening Night would be if both Stortini and Ryan Reaves play.  Reaves has a slight weight advantage but Stortini has the height and reach advantage, but nonetheless this would be a battle of two heavyweights, and it would be a GREAT fight to see.

The battle has only begun. It is that time, once more.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

This fight ended Taylor Hall’s season. Image via SportsNet Canada

The Blues’ 2-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday at least showed us a team that gave a rat’s you-know-what on the ice, which was helpful.  What was NOT helpful was seeing all the not-really-ready-for-the-NHL talent out there.  What also helped were a couple fights for me to tell you about, even if I don’t have much good news on either of them.  They both involved “Your Favorite Tweeter And Mine”, the one-and-only Paul “Biz Nasty” Bissonnette.  The first was a draw with Ryan Reaves, probably given because of a premature slip (video here).  The second was clear win over Tyson Strachan in which “Strachs” CLEARLY should have let Roman Polak handle his own business (video here, and for the record, I would have LOVED to see Polak and Biz go at it).  The Blues move up to 69 fighting majors on the season and a temporary tie for first place in that category with the Pittsburgh Penguins after Tuesday’s pair of scuffles.  Their fight record moves to 28-21-20.

We’ve covered the Edmonton Oilers on three occasions this season (December 4th, February 4th and February 25th).  They are well-documented as the worst team in the Western Conference.  This team has earned that draft lottery number, but it’s not like they had all sorts of upside what with all the youth and the random spare parts.  This team WILL be good again one day, though, behind the likes of Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi, Jordan Eberle and Linus Omark.  But for now, the Oilers are at the bottom of the barrel.  But they’re not too bad in the fight standings.  They currently stand ninth in the NHL by themselves with 46 fighting majors.  Their fight record, though, is a bit below average: 13-16-17.

Zack Stortini (6’4”, 215lbs, 1-5-2, currently with Oklahoma City in the AHL), despite not having played for the Oilers in over a month, still leads the team with eight fights.  The active leader is Theo Peckham (6’2”, 234lbs, 1-2-4) with seven fights.  Following him is Steve MacIntyre (6’5”, 250lbs, 3-1-2) with six.  Colin Fraser (6’1”, 193lbs, 0-3-1 including a loss to Stefan Della Rovere, Day-to-day with a foot injury) has fought four times.  Jason Strudwick (6’4”, 226lbs, 2-1-0 including a win over Cam Janssen) and Jim Vandermeer (6’1”, 214lbs, 1-1-1 including a loss to Janssen) have each fought three times.  Jean-Francois Jacques (6’3”, 231lbs, 1-0-1, Day-to-day with a foot injury), Ryan Jones (6’0”, 205lbs, 1-0-1) and Ladislav Smid (6’3”, 226lbs, 0-1-1) have each fought twice.  And nine Oilers (one now a FORMER Oiler) have each fought once: Sam Gagner (5’11”, 191lbs, Win, Out for the season with a hand injury), Gilbert Brule (5’11”, 186lbs, Win, Day-to-day with a concussion), Andrew Cogliano (5’10”, 188lbs, Win), Ryan Whitney (6’3”, 210lbs, Draw, Out for the season with an ankle injury), Dustin Penner (6’4”, 245lbs, Draw, Traded to Los Angeles at the deadline), Kurtis Foster (6’5”, 226lbs, Draw), Shawn Horcoff (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw, Day-to-day with an ankle injury), Hall (6’1”, 194lbs, Loss, Out for the season with an ankle injury suffered IN said fight) and Alex Plante (6’4”, 230lbs, Loss, currently with Oklahoma City in the AHL).

I’d say your best bet for a GOOD fight would be Reaves squaring off with MacIntyre, assuming Steve Mac even suits up.  Otherwise, I guess a rematch between Janssen and Vandermeer wouldn’t be bad.  There are many possibilities here, though, and I fully expect there to be multiple fights in this game.

Both of these teams’ seasons are over.  Which one has more pride?  We’ll find out later.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

PECKHAM’S FACE ASPLODE! Image via Yahoo! Sports

And a disappointing Blues stretch continues with a 3-2 loss to a very good Vancouver Canucks late last night.  The good?  Two things: 1) the Blues played well enough to win, and 2) There was a fight!  It was between BJ Crombeen and Tanner Glass, in one that – preliminarily, at least – shows The Beej winning the fight (video here).  On the eye test, I thought Crombeen won the fight, too.  Good thing we agree on this!  Anyway, the Blues now bump up to 58 fighting majors on the season, remaining in third place in the NHL.  Presuming my prediction and the vote tallies hold true, the Blues’ fight record now stands at 24-17-17.

The Edmonton Oilers are easily the worst team in the Western Conference.  This is what happens during a rebuild in a VERY difficult conference (as us Blues fans are used to seeing).  The Oilers are a team that will be good with luck, skill, youth and good timing – they already have the skill and the youth down pat, so no worries there.  But this is a fight report, and I’m here to tell you that while the Oilers DO fight a good amount, they probably should do it less given their fight record.  We have covered the Oilers twice before (December 4th and February 4th).  The Oilers have collected 37 fighting majors on the season, tied for 11th in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.  In those fights, the Oilers have gone 7-14-16.  Not so hot, if you ask me.

Zack Stortini (6’3”, 228lbs, 1-4-3) still leads the Oilers with eight fights despite spending practically the last month in the AHL with Oklahoma City after clearing re-entry waivers.  The active Oiler fight leader is Theo Peckham (6’2”, 223lbs, 0-2-4), who is STILL one letter away from a “Bend It Like . . . “ joke, with six.  Following Peckham is Steve MacIntyre (6’5”, 250lbs, 2-1-2) with five fights.  Former Blackhawk Colin Fraser (6’1”, 190lbs, 0-3-1 including a loss to Stefan Della Rovere) has fought four times this season.  Jean-Francois Jacques (6’4”, 217lbs, 1-0-1), Jim Vandermeer (6’1”, 210lbs, 1-1-0 including a loss to Cam Janssen) and Ladislav Smid (6’3”, 226lbs, 0-1-1) have each fought twice.  Every other Oilers fighter has only fought once each – Sam Gagner (5’11”, 191lbs, Win), Gilbert Brule (5’10”, 180lbs, Win, out with an ankle injury), Ryan Whitney (6’4”, 219lbs, Draw, out with an ankle injury), Dustin Penner (6’4”, 245lbs, Draw), Kurtis Foster (6’5”, 223lbs, Draw), Shawn Horcoff (6’1”, 208lbs, Draw), Ryan Jones (6’1”, 202lbs, Loss) and Jason Strudwick (6’4”, 225lbs, Loss).

After a flight to Edmonton and after a tough loss, it would be hard to imagine a game without a fight tonight.  Expect Janssen and Vandermeer to at least look at each other tonight.  I would not be surprised to see a couple lower-tier fighters battle it out in this one – say, Chris Stewart and Smid?  A man can dream, I guess.

Another loss and I’ll come close to giving up on this season.  But I have faith!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

No more Storts in Edmonton. Sad face. Image via Copper Blue Dreams

Hey, remember that game that was played this past Tuesday between the Blues and the Colorado Avalanche?  You don’t?  Well, why not?  It wasn’t PLAYED, you say?  Well alright, if you say so . . . .  In all seriousness, yes, that really happened – a game played on ice was postponed (to February 22nd – so mark your calendars, February 1st Ticket Holders!) due to . . . icy conditions.  I am not by any means saying it was the wrong decision . . . I’m just saying that it’s QUITE ironic!  But life – just like the Throwdown Lowdown report – rolls on.  By some stroke of luck, though, the Blues remain tied atop the fight standings with the Anaheim Ducks, both having collected 49 fighting majors.  Their fight record, obviously, still stands still at 19-17-12.

We have covered the Edmonton Oilers previously (December 4th in Edmonton, which, in a weird stroke of irony, was the last game Andy McDonald has played before his anticipated return tonight).  I’d be willing to bet this Oilers team wishes it were in the Eastern Conference.  Geography sometimes gets the better of teams, especially bad ones.  But like most hockey teams that are rebuilding or are otherwise not playing up to the rest of their competition, the Oilers do not have any problems dropping the gloves when called upon.  Now, compared to the Blues, it’s not that much, but compared to the rest of the league, they more than hold their own.  Before tonight’s game, the Oilers were (in a tie for 13th in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings) with 31 fighting majors on the season.  Too bad they can’t translate their truculence into more fight wins – their fight record is 7-13-11 on the season.

Zack Stortini (6’3”, 228lbs, 1-5-2) leads the Oilers with eight fights, but he was waived by the club on Tuesday, cleared waivers and is now with Oklahoma City of the AHL.  So the active fight leader for the Oilers is actually Theo Peckham (6’2”, 223lbs, 1-1-3), who is one letter away from a “Bend It Like . . . “ joke, with five.  Following Peckham is Steve MacIntyre (6’5”, 250lbs, 2-1-1) and former Blackhawk Colin Fraser (6’1”, 190lbs, 0-3-1 including a loss to Stefan Della Rovere) with four each.  Every other Oilers fighter has only fought once each – Sam Gagner (5’11”, 191lbs, Win), Gilbert Brule (5’10”, 180lbs, Win, out with an ankle injury), Jim Vandermeer (6’1”, 210lbs, Win), Ryan Whitney (6’4”, 219lbs, Draw, out with an ankle injury), Dustin Penner (6’4”, 245lbs, Draw), Kurtis Foster (6’5”, 223lbs, Draw), Jean-Francois Jacques (6’4”, 217lbs, Draw), Ryan Jones (6’1”, 202lbs, Loss), Ladislav Smid (6’3”, 226lbs, Loss) and Jason Strudwick (6’4”, 225lbs, Loss).  Golly Jeepers that’s a lot of names . . . no wonder Stortini was expendable!

There are just too many possible matchups tonight to narrow it down to just one, but if I had my druthers (then again, I don’t know how my druthers were missing in the first place), I’d bet on a fight between the two big boys – Winchester and MacIntyre.  Let’s call it a hunch – Winchester SHOULD fight against the Oilers, his former team (he was even on the roster for their ’05-’06 Stanley Cup Finals run).

The Blues tend to do well when I attend their games, and I’ve got a ticket.  Want to guess what that means?  Yes, they’ve got a chance tonight!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights