As the end of the decade approaches there are a million different "Top…" lists floating around the web. The Ref and I have been heavily debating the Top 50 Comedies of the 00′s and we both agree Stepbrothers is getting royally shafted. Naturally, The Hangover is coming in tops on a lot of lists. It’s also #1 on our list of the Top 50 Overrated Comedies of the decade. If you haven’t seen Stepbrothers, do it. NOW! Wait. Finish reading this, and then sit down with Brennan and Dale.

On a slightly more related note, GoonBlog.com has been around for about half the decade and has seen some great enforcers come in to the league during that time. It got me to thinking about who my choice for favorite tough guy of the last ten years would be. I am having a hard time choosing right now for a few reasons. First, I am not all that creative. The second being, if they had a list of Top 50 Things I did to my brain to cause damage this decade with booze and a general lack of common sense, we wouldn’t really scratch the surface of how un-smart I am. Here are some things I am struggling with in terms of prerequisites.

Dennis Bonvie recently retired as the most penalized player in North American hockey history. He’s been playing hockey for a long time now, and he’s one of my all time favorite tough guys. Would he be considered an enforcer of the decade despite the fact his career spans several? Also, does he have enough NHL experience to be considered? Does NHL experience matter? That puts a guy like Tie Domi in the mix. He has all NHL experience and retired in the decade, but does that make him the best of most popular enforcer of the decade?

I don’t care much for wins and losses in a fight, what I am looking for when thinking of this list is guys I like to watch fight, and when I am flipping through the Center Ice Package I stop and say, “Oh, I’ll watch this game because so and so plays for them.” In the end I decided on a couple of definites.

1. If they played in the years 2000-2009, they were eligible.
2. If I followed the career path, they were eligible.
3. If I had personally met and interacted with them off the ice, eligible. This is where a lot of guys score highly.

Without further ado, Goonblog’s Top 10 Enforcers of the Decade!

10. PJ Stock. Undersized for the role, PJ went into the breach with the determination of a hungry Pit Bull in Michael Vick’s back yard. He had three of the most memorable fights in the “New” Boston Garden, and had a hell of a following in Boston. To this day, PJ Stock Crew shirts can still be seen worn to Bruins games.

9. Shawn Thornton. 22 has been a full time NHLer since the 06-07 season where he won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim. Before that, he made frequent stops in the Tsongas Arena with Norfolk, and Portland. Thornton is a guy that clearly enjoys playing a game for a living and keeps penalty box attendants in stitches with his quick wit. On here as much for his personality as he is his pugilistic ability, Shawn has improved his fighting skills tremendously this season.

8. Ben Eager. On here mostly because I marvel at how equipment mangers around the league are consistently able to make a Gatorade bucket look like a hockey helmet. Have you seen the size of that boy’s heeeed?!

7. Darcy Hordichuk. I have been a big fan of him since the old Springfield Falcon days. He also had a couple of donnybrooks with “Mad” Mel Angelstad when they were both in the IHL that are a must see for any fight fan.

6. Ryan Flinn. If there was a more intimidating looking enforcer in the AHL from 2001-2005, I didn’t see him. But then again, maybe I’ve been blocking them out. Shudder. The resemblance to Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart is also remarkable.

5. Gordie Dwyer. Hands down, one of the nicest most personable guys I have ever met. He was hurt a lot of the time he was a member of the Lowell Lockmonsters so I got to speak with him many, many times during games. Not 100% sure he enjoyed the role of enforcer, definitely not at the AHL level, but for a guy that could fight he was the one of the best skaters, and body checkers around.

4. Officer Brendan Walsh. No doubt, the funniest human being on the ice ever. With quotes like, “Half price goatees boys? And "Hey Kanko, give me extra cheese on my taco,” it’s hard to disagree. The only thing that ever got the best of Walshie was a puck according to him; he was a thorn in the AHL’s side for 4 seasons. His one game swan song as a Lowell Lockmoster was one of my favorite memories of the old team.

3. Trevor Gillies. Speaking of the old Lockmonsters, Trevor has been a Goonblog favorite since his debut with Lowell in the 1999-2000 season. One of the best guys off the ice as well, he’s always willing to stop and say hi when coming back to the Paul. His fight in which he and Richard Scott bloodied each other was one of the better fights I have seen in that building.

2. Dennis Bonvie. Every time “Bones” was in the building, the calendar was circled and watched with the anticipation of getting a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock. Could rival Walshie as the funniest person on earth, Bonvie was always entertaining and gave an honest effort every night. Some career highlights include the time he was barking like a dog at Craig MacDonald at the redline during warm-ups, and asking the penalty box attendant if Lowell’s Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before after handling he youngster soundly. Classic Bonvie.

1.Colton Orr. Right now, Orrsie is my favorite player in the NHL not wearing #17 for the Boston Bruins. If Boston were smart, they wouldn’t have waived him a couple of years ago, but that is a whole different post. Orr is as tough and honest as they come these days. He truly loves to fight as evidence by the ear to ear grin on his face while being led to his home away from home to feel shame for 5 minutes at a time. Also, the time I introduced myself to him after I had at least 30 beers after a Bruins game he could have been a real jerk to a drunken guy. Instead he humored me for a few minutes as we talked enforcers, and guys he has fought. I am sure I was making no sense, as the look on his face was an indication, but he was a cool guy like most of the pro hockey players out there are.

So, there we have it. My Top 10. I’d love to see what the group thinks, and welcome any suggestions on guys I left out. Merry Christmas all. Go easy on the egg nog, eh?

I’ve had a lot on my mind since the Boston Bruins vanquished the Montreal Canadiens in four games, but I just haven’t been calm enough to write it down. I started to about 10 times, but I got so furious I had to stop. The first round really angered me, and I’m glad it only lasted four games because I would not have made it. I will give you two quick notes about the series, and then we will move on.

1. For the most part, I’m sure Canadiens fans are probably decent, hardworking people that happen to really love hockey. Maybe I don’t understand the culture in Montreal. Maybe I’m fucked up, but to boo the US Anthem, when we show yours nothing but respect? Well that’s something I just won’t tolerate anymore. There were a couple of guys in my section at the two homes games that tried to boo the Canadian Anthem, and they were told in no uncertain terms to cease and desist. They were kids and they were drunk, but when told to stop, they did. The chorus of boos before game 3, and then even the smattering of boos in game 4 left me sad, and angry. Oh, and another thing, we stand respectfully for your anthem, in fact I sing along. Why not? It’s a beautiful song. When ours is playing in our building stop speaking, or moving, or yelling “Go Habs, GO!” We went over this last year, and apparently, no one got the message.

2. I will take Sean Avery over Tom Kostopouls any day of the week. Avery is a punk and a shit disturber. TK is a punk, and has no respect for the game and is going to kill someone. He and that piece of shit Mike Komisarek can go fuck themselves. They are real brave when the linesmen have them all wrapped up after they started some shit. Komisarek should get at least a 1 game suspension for the cross check he put on Milan Lucic at the end of game four. That was classic attempt to injure. He probably won’t though.

Anyway, the Habs are done, and I am psyched. In even better news, the Bruins found out their next opponent will be the artists formerly know as the Hartford Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes. Nice job by Eric Staal and the boys getting by the Great Marty Brodeur with two tallies in the last 1:20 last night. I am almost as glad the Devils are out as I am the Canadiens are out. Screw them both I say. I like Boston to win this in 5. I see them dropping game 3 in Hartford, er, Raleigh, and that’s it.

Finally tonight, I’d like to introduce the newest member of the Goonsquad. MOL has been pestering me to get a playmate for Milan Lucic since we brought her home, and she finally got her way about a month ago. As per the rules, she gets the dog, I get to name him.

The finalists were:

• Shawn Thornton
• Officer Brendan Walsh
• Jay “The Killer” Miller
• Dennis Bonvie
• PJ Stock

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present, Mr. Jay “The Killer” Miller!

Jay “The Killer” Miller had 868 penalty minutes in 216 games for the Boston Bruins over 3 and a half seasons. He racked up 304 PIM in 78 games for the Bruins during the 1987-1988 campaign. Last night I assessed him a game misconduct for barking at 2:30 in the morning. He is a good dog, and Milan loves her little brother. Look at him….he could snap at any minute! Enjoy the games boys, and go Bruins.

Now. We are in it. Thursday night, Boston looked over matched, and very out played. Last night, while flipping between the BC game, and the Bruins, I noticed the Black and Gold had a lot more life. In spite of the overtime loss, they were still in the contest. After returning from the Garden tonight, I think these boys have a chance.

The evening started with the “Dave” special at the Fours. I had a Miller High Life, while George had a Michelob Ultra. We then moved on to the poppers and wings, followed by the Bobby Orr for George, and the Bambino (a ¼ hot dog) for me. Tasty buddy. Causeway Street, and all the surrounding bars, looked like St. Catherine’s St. as there was a shit load (actual attendance number) of Habs fans on the streets. George and I were seated between a group of four Canadiens fans on our right, and another two on our left. Both groups were really cool. The guys on our right had been at Fenway earlier, and the guys on our left had just arrived via car. The left guys were headed back to Canada tonight for work tomorrow, only to return for Tuesday’s tilt back in Boston. That is a hockey fan. I don’t even like driving to Lowell for Devils games, and these guys are going between two countries for their team. Both groups were a fun bunch, and it made it hard for me to want to punch them out.

After we killed a few beers and snacks, it was into the Garden for warm up. I have never seen as many fans in the building for the skate around, and to say the mood was electric was an understatement. Chants of GO HABS GO! and LET’S GO BRUINS!, cropped up everywhere. George and I were seated in section 12 row 7 seats 17 and 18 so we were close enough to see the intensity in everyone’s eyes. Shawn Thornton was at the redline trying to stare everyone down, and Marc Savard flipped about 10 pucks to kids. Milan Lucic has his own cheering section, much like old number 42 PJ Stock did. It was electric in the building, and it was only warm up.

The puck dropped, and it was clear the Bruins were not going to be beaten outright in their own building. They had an intensity and purpose about them that was matched by their old foes from the North. It was an up and down game filled with intensity and desire on both sides of the ice. When Milan scored at 6:57 the place went crazy! His goal was a real goal score4rs goal, and the Bruins faithful couldn’t have asked for a better person to score. Like I said, he is a God in Boston. At the end of the first, “Sheriff” Shane Hnidy, and Guillaume Latendresse had a big disagreement that led to a fight. It wasn’t much of a scrap, as neither landed many of the punches thrown, but I must say Latendresse is a pussy for not taking of the shielded helmet before engaging with Hnidy.

Boston found themselves on the power play to begin the second because Latendresse was given an extra two for roughing plus the five for fighting, but they couldn’t score. Much like the first stanza, it was an up and down affair punctuated by a Tom Kostopoulos goal in which he was damn near killed by a Bruin while tapping in a puck from his side. TK scored a playoff goal, and by that I mean a goal in which he had to fight for all the space given. I hate his guts, and I hate the Canadiens, but I must give props for the goal, and their resilience.

Period three was another back and forth number. Naturally, any shaky call went in Montreal’s favor, and the Bruins could only take it. Scoring chances were a plenty, and Tim Thomas held the fort for the hometown club, per usual. I haven’t been a big fan of his over the years, but this season, he’s really pulled them out of the fire on several occasions. The Hab fan I was seated next to commented as such, and I told him it was the SOP for the Bruins. Get in trouble. Timmy bails us out. Speaking of the Hab fan, that guy was a good guy. We talked a little hockey; and both agreed Carey Price has a great glove. It’s a shame he got a beer thrown on him. I got a little on me too. Here’s what happened. Bruins won, someone threw a half empty brew. Could have hit anyone. It hit him….and a little on me. Oh well.

The OT was awesome, and I want to thank Marc Savard for slamming home the slapper he unleashed on Price. Boston is back alive in this series thanks to him, and I could not think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening. George is working on seats for Tuesday. Hopefully I am the good luck charm, and don’t think I won’t go to Montreal for game seven if I have to. As it was said on the way out by “Sully” or whatever his name was, “I’ve never had a job I couldn’t get fired from for a game seven in Montreal!” Well said “Sully”. Well said.

This came in via our MySpace profile from a reader called RunninAmok. We’ve met many great hockey fan folk through the MS network, and if you haven’t made friends with us yet please do so. 206 friends and counting!

“This was written by a member of Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fight Site from Vancouver, with some input from others that I added to it.”

I would like to congratulate Gary Bettman for doing his very best for improving the NHL as we know it. Gary, you have done a marvelous job since you have been Commissioner of the NHL. You have been instrumental in 2 work stoppages, half of the 1994-95 season (468 games), and a complete loss of the 2004-05 season.

Gary, great job in bringing back half empty arenas, and for moving two great Canadian franchises in Quebec City and Winnipeg. Sure, we have a “new” team in Ottawa, but you’re right, Carolina, Nashville and Miami are much better hockey markets. Nothing says “Old Time Hockey” like those blue, silver, and bright yellow jerseys of the Nashville Predators. I can’t wait until Pittsburgh, Edmonton, or Calgary move since we all know Houston, Kansas City and Las Vegas are such hotbeds for hockey!

Thank you Gary for bringing us a schedule where we don’t need to see each team every year. In a place like Vancouver, they have hundreds of fans who would like to see the Leafs, Habs or Bruins play the Canucks every season, but once again, you’re right, playing Calgary, Minnesota and Edmonton 8 times a season is much more entertaining than seeing an original 6 team like New York, Detroit, or Toronto. Who cares if the Stanley Cup Champions play here? Who cares if Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin or Staal play here every 3 seasons? Gary, you’re right, we don’t need them.

Mr. Bettman, how do you do it? How did you get such a sweet deal on OLN? Yes, having the NHL on a channel Americans have to pay for is much better than ESPN. The numbers don’t lie; OLN’s numbers prove that. ESPN, NBC, CBS, yeah, we don’t need that. We have Pay Per View; how fortunate are we! What ever happened to that Fox Trax puck? I miss that.

Getting back to the schedule, I really like how some games are worth two points and others three. It’s also so exciting to see no battles in front of the net or body contact of any kind. Hockey is such a great game now. I couldn’t stand watching Todd Bertuzzi slamming Chris Chelios or freight training Barret Jackman. Those bodychecks were so violent! We don’t need that in OUR sport. No way! I prefer to see Henrik or Daniel Sedin, able to stand unimpeded in front of the crease so they can tap in a rebound! I’m so happy that fighting is almost gone from the game. Now I have more time to go get some popcorn or a drink instead of wondering if Brian McGratton would fight Wade Brookbank. Wait, the Canucks got rid of Brookbank because he was tough. Also, that fight would only happen every three years.

Gary, I’m thrilled that there are so many Europeans in the game. Having Europeans on the third and fourth line is fascinating. Watching them cycle the puck back and forth behind the net is so exciting. I’m glad to see guys such as PJ Stock, Gino Odjick and Tie Domi gone from the game. They didn’t bring anything to the game that a fourth liner from Europe couldn’t. I really hated to hear those chants of Gino, Gino, Gino we used to hear when he went after Marty McSorley or Tie Domi. Like I mentioned fighting was a despicable part of the game. I now have time to go to the washroom, beating those intermission crowds.

I really enjoy watching five on four, four on three, or five on three games nightly. There’s nothing more entertaining than seeing more goals. I love seeing the stars racking up the points like Gretzky and Lemieux used to. We don’t need those old records that were set before you became commissioner. Players like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito or Bobby Orr aren’t important. They played in that era of fighting and limited power plays. These players had to battle nightly for space on the ice or in front of the net. I’m so glad to see that you don’t have to pay a price to score. What a chore that was. If Gretzky played in today’s game, he may have gotten 400 points, but let’s not get silly now.

And thank you for the two-referee system. Get some more people out there on the ice and call more penalties. Forty minor penalties per game is exciting and really gets the average Joe and Joan heading to the arena. In conclusion Mr.Bettman, I’d just like to say that the game, as you see it, could never be better & I hope you are thrilled with today’s product coming to a rink near you. By the way Gary, have you ever played the game, or even watched it?

Sincerely,

A WHL fan.

I think I am going to be sick. The Bruins placed Colton Orr on waivers today. Mini Me O’Connell says he just isn’t needed. Boston has a very long and storied history of treating people poorly. One needs only to look back to the treatment of PJ Stock. Stock, a fan favorite, ne, a cult hero, was signed to a two year deal two years ago. He played one game, and was loaned to Philadelphia of the AHL. He never played another game for the Bruins. As for O’Connell’s statement of him not being needed, I don’t think there is a Bruin on that roster that has played with more heart, and emotion than Colton Orr. Orr has provided a lift when his Team needed him. Look at the fights he has had. The only game in which he has fought they didn’t win, was two weeks ago when Ottawa came in and killed the Bruins. I hope Orr gets picked up by a division rival, and makes Boston pay for this mistake.

That one goes out to Janet, one of the Goonsquad members in the Garden last night. Apparently she hates Drouin as much as the Charlestown fan in the opening of the greatest movie of all time. If I may borrow from the immortal Nick Brophy, the Goonsquad got stinkin shitfaced on the bus last night. Yes, a good time was had by all in Section 5 last night as the Bruins got their first Divisional win of the year against the Leafs. No, Janet, tell your friend it should not be the Leaves. Good tilt last night. We saw some pretty good up and down hockey, but, more importantly, we saw what I consider to be the fight of the year so far between Wade Belak (TOR) and Colton Orr (BOS).

I didn’t see what started the fight, as I had just rounded the corner when it started. I would assume it was just the two toughest kids on the block looking to get the boys going. What a great fight it was though. Both guys landed some really heavy punches, with Belak scoring a very hard right hand and Orr countering with an even harder one of his own, breaking Belak’s nose. Belak was wearing a full face shield for the rest of the game. The Boston Herald has a great picture of Orrsie lowering the boom on the last page. It’s an awesome picture. The photographer really captured the spirit of the thing. Colton has done really well so far this season in good bouts with Eric Cairns, Andre Roy, and now Belak. The guy knows his role, and will answer the bell when it is rung. He’s exactly what the new NHL needs. A big tough guy, that I bet will be a folk hero in the mold of PJ Stock very soon.

On tap for the weekend is a trip to Hooters for beers and wings in about an hour. Tomorrow I am going to the Bruins game for my 31st birthday, and a Halloween party after. Then on Sunday, the beloved Lockmonsters are in action against Bingo at 4. My old buddy Brennan Evans will be in the house. I think he’s a very underrated fighter, and I hope Mr. Mitch "Spread The" Love is in a fighting mood because I think it would be a pretty good match up. If there are any fireworks, you’ll hear about it here first! Peace Out all. Have a great weekend.

Rough weekend boys. Friday I went to dinner and drank too much, Saturday me and MOL went to the Peelers, and drank too much. Sunday was the Crue at Verizon. I tried to drink too much, but the brew was shut off right as soon as the show started. Makes sense with Motley Crue I guess. The Crue was a great show by the way. I was standing in the middle of the Blue Line closest to the entrance of the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Great show. Being in the building really made me look forward to the upcoming season.

I heard a rumor that PJ Stock had to call it quits due to vision problems. It’s strange, because at the Crue, I was looking around scouting out some seats that might be good for hockey, when I thought to myself, "Hey Self, Wouldn’t Stocker look good in a Lockmonster Uniform?" I answered, "Yes."  Point being, when PJ Stock was in Boston, he was a total fan favorite, a guy that was always willing to go with anyone. He had two great fights with Stephen Peat, a dandy with Reed Low, and a couple of Donnybrooks with Eric Boulton. He may not have won them all, but he never backed down from anyone. I think the way the Bruins treated him was pretty crappy. They signed him to a two year deal, then sent him to Providence, and from there, loaned him to Philadelphia. I always enjoyed PJ’s play, and he will be missed.

Tampa Bay signed Rob DiMaio today. I have been a fan of his from his Boston days. He is a feisty little guy, that is always willing to stand up for a Mate. I would hazard to say, he has the worst nose in hockey. He’s a hockey player, not a model, but his beak is really messed up. He’s taken a few to the grille, and it’s obvious.

Eric Boulton was signed by Atlanta, as was Shane Hnidy. The Thrashers have been among the busiest teams in this off season. Boulton and Hnidy have been hired to protect Heatley, which will give him space to play his game. I remember Boulton have a couple of tremendous bouts with former Bruin PJ Stock. One was in Boston, on the night the Patriots were celebrating their first Super Bowl Victory, with a massive parade. It was one of those fights where they just unloaded on each other with right, after right. I would say the bout was too close to call, but you really could make an argument for either guy. Not a lot to say today boys. Feeling a little groggy from smashing my head on the kitchen table. Don’t tell coach.