I wrote a little while ago how the NHL signing period works. Typically the top flight talent goes, then, people to protect the top flight talent get signed. That’s where we are now, and the Springfield Falcons added a big protector in Kip Brennan yesterday.

Kip was a Lowell Lockmonster back when he still had junior eligibility many moons ago. During his rookie year, he got some advice and returned to the Sudbury Wolves after racking up 117 PIM in 23 contests with Lowell. I was shocked in kind of a lost puppy kind of a way when h returned to Sudbury. Shocked, because I thought he was one of the best up and coming enforcers in the AHL at the time, and sad in a lost puppy kind of a way, because we wouldn’t get to see him anymore. Over the next almost 10 years, we have seen Kip come in the Tsongas with many a different AHL team, and he’s also managed to rack up 222 PIM in 61 NHL contests with a few different clubs along the way.

I always liked Kip Brennan. He’ll give you an honest go, and I’m hoping a little rivalry grows between him and Lowell’s newest tough guy, Louis Robitaille. There are still some big names out there, most curiously, Trevor Gillies. Gillies remains unsigned at the moment which I find surprising. He was the last cut from the Carolina Hurricanes last season, but hasn’t played since December 20th when he sustained a concussion in an altercation with Paul Bissonnette. Perhaps teams are afraid of signing him, only to see him go down again. I had heard Trevor was close to a deal with Portland, which would make a lovely little New England rivalry between Brennan, Robitaille, and Gillies, and perhaps make life worth living for fight fans in the region, but that deal seems stalled. Either way, we are two weeks away from camp, and I need my math book for travel anywhere outside this house. I can almost smell the glove warmer!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Goons and Goonettes! MOL and I are celebrating by doing Irish Car Bombs, and calling each other boy-o, and laddie. I shall call her Sully for the rest of the evening, demanding she call me Fitzy. I think now might be the time to say, we don’t get out much.

I hope my favorite Lowell Devil is able to hoist a cold one or two tonight. Pierre-Luc LeBlond took one of the hardest left hands to the mind I have ever seen Friday night. It was delivered in a cool third jersey by Worcester Shark, Brad Staubitz. LeBlond had asked him no less than 5 times to go, but Staubitz wanted nothing to do with him. Worcester was killing Lowell, and Staubitz was having a super game. In fact, he earned himself second star. Finally near the end of the game, LeBlond finally got Staubitz to oblige his request to have a go, and I am thinking he may be sorry #6 said yes.

The fight started OK with a little wrestling, and the boys trading a few punches. Nothing too heavy, but they weren’t pillow punches either. Then LeBlond got Staubitz bent over to his right, as it looked like he was going for the takedown. Brad Staubitz, who is as strong as an ox, pulled himself upright, and allowed him to regain his balance. As he got his balance, he got his left arm free and cocked. He then proceeded to lower the boom on PLL, and it was lights out from there. LeBlond went down like a man that has just been punched very fucking hard in the face. I think he may have hit his head on the ice as well. It was one of those punches you could see coming, and I could hear the impact from my seat a few rows away. LeBlond was clearly woozy on his way to the bench, and in fact fell through the door. He was helped up, and never returned. Hopefully he’s back soon, as he is the only interesting thing about Lowell Devils games this season. Off for another car bomb! Please try to behave yourselves tonight boys.

P.S. Here is a good tilt between Kip Brennan, and Pierre-Luc LeBlond