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This is for you Dave: Heres to Clara Huges, Cindy Klassen and Kristina Groves for bring home medals on the ICE. Yes I was the person watching on Saturday night with my friend Smirnoff. Hats off to the Candian Women for the gold!

I would like all of you out there to sing the theme from "Welcome Back Kotter" While reading this. Having said that let me explain a few things.

First off, my mother isn’t really blind. She had some eye surgery yesterday, and her vision is compromised. I have to help her around and give her eye drops. She is tough as nails, and will be ready for Camp this fall.

Second. My prolonged absence. I have been unbelievably busy at work, and haven’t been home much, therefore, I have not been able to write. Dave is right though, getting some New York Times press was inspirational, and I will try to write more. Who cares if my productivity drops off? MOL doesn’t have expensive taste in anything….are you picking up the sarcasm? I should hope so, because I am laying it on pretty thick. OK, it’s time to drop em again!

You may be asking yourself what I have been up to. Glad you asked. Like I said work has been nuts. It’s crazy what happens when you actually try. I did have a lovely trip to Bridgeport to see Lowell a couple weekends ago. If you remember an earlier post, Bridgeport, and Lowell had a near bench clearing brawl some time ago started by Smart Mouth Keith Aucoin. Well, I was going to be in The Nutmeg State anyway to visit my brother, his wife, my niece Olivia, and future first rounder Nephew Thomas. The Monsters were playing Friday night, so I thought it would be cool to leave Mother and MOL with my brother’s wife, and the kids, and we’d go off and do manly stuff. Everyone agreed my plan was good, a first actually, and it was set in motion.

Brother Dave rounded up some of the UConn Huskies, Scotty, Dave, and Pat. Brother Dave, Pat and I had dinner and beers at 5:30 at Joe’s. Scotty and Dave trickled in up until leaving at 7:30 for a 7:30 faceoff. Nothing ever happens in the first few minutes anyway right? Especially when Lowell is involved. So, we get in to the arena, get some beers, and get our seats. Right away, it was apparent this was not to be Lowell’s night. First off they suck, and they can not find a way to beat the Sound Tigers. The boys were wondering aloud and often how I could sit through 41 games a year of this poor hockey. I really had no answers. If you are a fan of dominating performances by one team over another, this was your game. Bridgeport KILLED Lowell. It wasn’t even as close as the 7-2 score. Jeff Hamilton scored a beauty for BST (tired of typing either Bridgeport, or Sound Tigers. They are now BST.) that is one of the best goals I have seen all year. He put a toe drag move on Chris Hajt, the worst player in the "A", think Hal Gill, only smaller. And Worse. And roofed a beautiful wrister labeled for the top shelf. Just a pretty play. Great hands. Great goal.

The highlight of the game for me, was the fight between Johnny Boychuck (LOW) and Ryan Caldwell (BST). It happened after BST’s 4th or 5th goal. I can’t remember. Maybe because of the 412 beers I drank that night, or maybe because it was two weeks ago. Anyway, Lowell changed goalies, and after the delay, Caldwell, and Boychuck dropped em right off the faceoff. I have been impressed with Boychuck at times this year, and others, wondered aloud if he was better suited as a plumber. If he hits you, he cleans you out. Often times he misses, and takes himself out of the play. While he likes to play physical, he doesn’t play mean enough. I think the fight with Caldwell was only his second of the year. When I got back into town, I spoke to Monsters radio voice, Ryan Johnson, and apparently Coach Rowe called him out to that effect. Well, Big Number 3 got the message. The puck dropped and the boys dropped the buckets. I was very impressed with Boychuck in the fight. He hung on to Caldwell a little, but was giving him quick jabs to the face while having a fist full of jersey. Caldwell for his part did well also. The boys traded a couple then held on some, switched hands, and traded a few more. It was a spirited fight on both sides. If I had to call it, I’d say win Boychuck, but I may be being a homer. Either way, JB got the message from the Coach, and tried to put some emotion into his teammates. Didn’t work. As they were announcing the fighting majors, BST scored again. So much for the emotion.

After the game, the Huskies and I went to another bar. The plan was to have a couple and call it a night. Yeah, that worked. We played the One More game until last call, told some old hockey stories, and had a lot of laughs. I was in a very bad way the next day. Including having to take myself out of the game for a nap as my niece made brownies because the smell of food was making me sick. All in all, I give the weekend a solid 9.5 out of 10. Minus points for hurling in my brother’s bathroom…..sorry bro.

Dear DVR,

Thank you DVR for offering me a convenient way to record matinee Bruins games when I am working. Especially when the Bruins decide they are going to win a game, and have a fight. Without you DVR, I would not be able to see the Travis Moen (ANA) vs. Dan LaCoutre (BOS) fight. I have not yet had time to watch the game, but it is nice to know you will be saving it until space is needed DVR. I would also like to thank you for letting me fast forward though all the boring parts. You know, Rob Simpson’s mindless drivel (by the way, who does he have nude pictures of? He is HORRIBLE!) Commercials, the actual hockey, allowing me to avoid questions from MOL like, "Didn’t they play this yesterday?" and "Why are you watching this if you know who wins." Thank you DVR for allowing me to watch one game tonight on Center Ice, while recording another. That way I have better odds of getting a decent scrap on television. Thank you for letting me save until I decide when to delete. Currently Slap Shot is on save until I delete status. Sometimes it’s too hard to get up and open the DVD and all. Thank you DVR for making this hockey season enjoyable. When I get bummed out because fighting is down, I can look to you and recorded games with fights for a smile. Thank you DVR, I love you.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year. I myself, drank too much at the Patriots game New Year’s Day, and then drank waaaaaaaaay to much at the Bruins game the next day. In my defense, drinking was the only entertainment, as the B’s lost 1-0 in what could only be described as the anti barn burner of the year. I have watched grass grow that was more entertaining. In the spirit of the New Year, I have a couple of Resolutions.

1. I resolve to write more. I have been slacking, and I have no excuse.

2. I resolve to go deeper. I have noticed more fights in the last couple of weeks. I want to know why. I will share my theories, and not just have re-caps.

3. I resolve to keep it interesting. Again, I don’t want this to be a fight re-cap site. I want this to be as much about entertainment, as fights.

4. I resolve to keep evolving. Dave and I have a shit load of ideas. We need to apply them.

That’s just a few. There are more, but I don’t want to turn this into a Dr. Phil episode. Trust me. The less we get into my psyche, the better! Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Lowell fans! Uber Pussy, and underachiever without Eric Stall and Chuck Kobasew, Colin Forbes has been shipped back to Washington for Stephen Peat. Yeah, you read that right. The Lowell Lockmonsters have a true heavyweight for the first time since Trevor Gillies wore a Monsters uniform a few years back. I can only hope that the hand problems that have plagued Peat for much of his career are behind him, and he can crack some skulls for the fight starved Lowell fans. I am not sure if he’ll dress tonight against Providence. If there are fire works, I will update you all. Merry Christmas!

First off, a very Merry Christmas to all! I am hoping Santa is nice to you all.

I was looking over transactions the other day, when I saw Brad Norton had signed with Binghamton in the AHL. The very next day he had a fight. It reminded me of the time that I fought him in a Men’s League. Well, more accurately, he used my face as a punching bag in a Men’s League.

I don’t remember exactly when it was, but it was the early ’90’s. I was playing for some horrible team, and Norton was playing for the best team in the league. They were killing us. I think it was 256-1. Seriously, it was that bad. Near the middle of the third period, I’m trying to skate my lane, and let time run off the clock. No more, no less. One of my guys got buried from behind down low in the corner. It was a wicked cheap shot, and was totally uncalled for. The guy that got hit, jumped up, and got the gloves off. That’s where it all started. Next thing you know, everyone is in on it, sticks down, gloves off. I was at the top of the face-off circle, when I see this guy trying to get into the fray. Now, I didn’t exactly see who it was, and I didn’t care. I dropped my gloves, and grabbed him. He turns around and his gloves come off. It is at this point I said, and I think it was out loud, "Oh shit, I got the wrong fucking guy!" I was committed so I couldn’t stop there. I tried to get my hands up, but Brad’s reach did me in. He starts unloading on me with a series of rights that felt like cannon balls. I lost track after 5 shots to the noggin. Apparently, I can take a punch, because I was still on my feet. After about 5 or 6 bombs from Norton, I start saying "Brad, Brad, Brad! Don’t you think you’ve had enough!?" He and I knew each other a little bit from playing against each other as kids. He let me go, and I went to the ice. He was standing over me laughing, and I was trying to not look hurt. I would hazard to say, it may have been the most one sided fight in history. So, to all those guys in the AHL, watch out for this kid’s right. Merry Christmas all!

In my opinion, the top three hockey players of all time looks like this.

1. Bobby Orr

2. Gordie Howe

3. Wayne Gretzky

It was widely reported all weekend when 99 took a leave of absence from his coaching duties with Phoenix to attend to his mother. I had no idea, the situation was as grave. Mrs. Gretzky died today from lung cancer. Love or hate Gretzky, the pain of losing a parent, can only be matched by losing a child. The thoughts and prayers of the entire hockey world will be with the Gretzkys this holiday season.

While eating lunch today, I saw this. After almost choking, I started racking my brain on why in the world anyone is willing to give Billy Tibbetts another chance. This guy has been a cancer almost everywhere he has been. Billy is the classic example of million dollar talent, but a five cent head. Don’t get me wrong, Tibbetts is a hell of a talented hockey player, but in my mind, I think he’s got a track record too long to warrant taking up a roster spot on any other team with the exception of the San Quentin intramural Team. Usually I root for the under dog, but not in this case. Beware Wolves, this will not end well.