I trust everyone had a great Thanksgiving? It’s funny, my buddy JD called me Wednesday afternoon and said something to the effect of, “I liked this holiday more when it was a homecoming.” I couldn’t agree more. Back in the day, we’d start the Monday before, and wouldn’t stop until January 2nd. Then take the customary dry out until the Daytona 500. In my mind, there is no greater party night than the night before Thanksgiving. Since I haven’t had a drink in thirteen and a half months, and I’m 35 years old, the holiday is now about what it’s supposed to be about. Spending time with friends and family while reflecting on what one has to be thankful for. Pretty much the same as before, without having to excuse yourself from the dinner table because your profuse sweating and stale beer smell is upsetting Grandmother Charlotte. At any rate, however you spent the weekend; I hope it was a great holiday.

In the spirit of giving thanks, I would like to give thanks for hockey players like the newly recalled Matthew Corrente of the New Jersey Devils. Usually I loathe praising a Devil, as there is only one team for which I hold more contempt than New Jersey, but this kid Corrente is my kind of player. He’s had a few fights in the American League, and has been playing his game, so the call up is much deserved. Since his recall, he’s been eager to get in his first NHL fight, and he did so fighting Tim Jackman of the New York Islanders yesterday.

New Jersey had a 2-1 lead with a little over 4 minutes to play in the second when this tilt starts. I am not 100% sure what got it going because it was behind the play. I suspect it was Corrente recognizing a guy that would go was on the ice in Jackman, and Jackman knowing his role and the score obliged the rookie. It looks like Corrente lands some nice rights at the beginning of the scrap but as Jackman begins to get into the fight he starts pushing him against the glass. When he does so, he lands a very hard right hand right to Corrente’s eye socket. Um. That hurts. No other way to say it. Corrente keeps on his feet though, and tries to get some more in before the zebras get it separated. It looks like Corrente is talking after the fight. Probably just some thank yous and good go’s and so forth. In the end, I would call the fight a draw. Perhaps a slight advantage to Jackman for landing the really hard right, but Corrente showed up and got the first one out of the way without embarrassing himself.

Good on you Matt, keep up the good work. The NHL needs guys like this now more than ever. Fans, if you can sit through a Devils game, I suggest trying it. Ah, forget it, that just ain’t right. I’ll take the bullet for you here and let you know how the kid’s doing. Now you Goonblog readers all have something to be thankful for. You don’t have to watch the Devils.

Remember when I said I was waiting to get pictures of the Detroit game before I posted on the Thanksgiving weekend at the Garden? Well, you can forget I said anything. The pictures are really shitty, and I deleted them, so you’ll have to go without. Seems to me the new catch phrase is “in this economy”. As in “in this economy we have to learn to live without pictures of a hockey game.” See what I did? “In this economy” has replaced the Big Dig for Bostonians as the excuse du jour. Used to be, “why did the Pats lose? Big Dig.” Now, “in this economy”. Get it? I should hope so. Mr. Obama will fix everything though…fear not……Dave, I’m moving in.

So, Friday morning I arrived at the Hammer’s mother’s place to find the family in various stages of hungover. Hammer being the leader can best be described as looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost on a particularly pale day. I mean, to say he was white is a bit like saying we like fights. A gross understatement to be sure. After getting a bit of a visit in, and some coffee down, we decided it was time to head to the Garden for the game. Hammer however, had to hurl first. With the hurling out of the way, we were off. It was me, Hammer, Mrs. Hammer and John David on our way to meet Dave and the lovely Alize at the Grand Canal at 10:30.

The slight problem in our plan” The Grand Canal doesn’t open until 11, and Dave is perpetually late. As such, 10:30 at the GC turned into 11:15 at the Fours. Not really a big whoop, as Hammer could only get a few sips into his beer before he had to go for air. I was thinking there was no way he was going to make it. Once Dave and Alize showed up, everyone had another round, and we headed over to the game. Obviously, Hammer had to exit slightly before us and was standing out front jacket in hand, sweating like Patrick Ewing trying to read his contract. I guess he got a little on the Pats jacket.

Once in the game, JD and I headed for the balcony, and the Hungry for Hockey section, while the other 4 headed to the lodge. JD and I enjoyed a couple dogs, some nachos, and a spirited discussion on how much Andy Hilbert looks like Booger from Revenge of the Nerds. Good times indeed.

The game was excellent. It started poorly as the Bruins got down early 1-0. It was a good thing the new uniforms are so nice, because there play was looking ugly early. After kicking off the early morning cobwebs, they got to work and handled the Islanders 7-2. The game featured two decent fights, with Milan Lucic squaring off with Brendan Witt after Dennis “Riverboat Gambler” Wideman scored in the third. I am a little surprised Lucic didn’t get the Instigator on this. Looks to me like he started it after the whistle, but maybe they let it slide because of the cross check exchange the two were having in front of the net? Either way, I score it a win for Milan.

Bout 2 of the day featured Tim Jackman of the Islanders, and Boston’s “Sheriff” Shane Hnidy. It started after the play and was right below JD and I. Hnidy gets a very clear early advantage landing a few good right hands, but I feel the rest of the fight was all Tim Jackman. He landed some really hard rights, and cut Hnidy. I score it a win Jackman. Very entertaining fight. Kudos to both men for trying to get the boys going.

After the game ended we agreed to meet back up at the Fours. Apparently every fan in the building, and a couple of people that were not at the game, but at the bar, decided it was the right time to go to the Fours. Holy sardines. Off to the Grand Canal with the lot of us. It was a lot less crowded further down Canal St…..hey I just got that. Grand Canal is on Canal Street…I am an idiot. Anyhow, I was impressed with Hammer’s rally. The man was positively a different person. There was color in his face. He could talk without looking like he was going to hurl. It was like witnessing a miracle. The rest of the evening featured a few beers and Dave explaining to the rest of us whilst giving Alize a wedgie, that in Canada giving someone a wedgie meant, “Hello, I love you. Can I borrow your snowmobile?” Easily the funniest moment of the day, and if it hadn’t of been for Hammer’s remarkable comeback, it would have earned Dave MVP honors. That nod goes to the artist formerly known as Casper. Well played Hammer. You should be proud.

As a footnote to the weekend, I was back in the Garden Saturday evening for the dismantling of the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Red Wings. George and I were seated in the Sports deck behind the Bruins goal they defend twice. If I may suggest getting your hands on some seats up there? What a good take. The view is really good of the game, plus you get a buffet, as well as a bar right behind you! Excellent times. Plus the Bruins killed Detroit and the guy next to us was a Wings fan. What a baby. He was all bent out of shape, and being a whiner. I am glad they lost. Anyway, hope everyone had a great holiday. MOL had dinner with mother, and it was lovely. Other than that, a little hockey and some relaxing. Excellent times eh?