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.
Make up Your Mind Dude II
This is what I was talking about in an earlier post. Campbell’s reason for not fining Doan and Gretzky for their incident is because Doan really isn’t considered a fighter, and Gretz didn’t put him out there to fight anyone. I don’t exactly consider Zdeno Chara a fighter either. From what I understand, the game itself was pretty ugly the whole way. Chara probably took matters into his own hands. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, you can’t have a "rule" like this, and not apply it equally. I would appeal this to the league office if I were Chara, or Murray. It sure looks like the "Great One" is getting special treatment eh? Just like his playing days.
So Long, Joe.
I just read this. I really don’t know what to say. I like Joe Thornton, and he should be the prototypical Bruin. I guess it just never panned out for either side. Good luck in San Jose Joe.
No Reason to Watch the Bruins
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.
Make up your Mind Dude!
My liver is glad Thanksgiving is over. I ate too much, and drank way too much over the past couple of days. I hope everyone had a good Turkey Lurkey Day!
I was on my way to the Betty Ford Clinic, when I happened upon this article from ESPN. I didn’t see the game so I can’t really comment on what exactly happened. When the new CBA was signed, there was a rule that anyone who instigates a fight in the last five minutes of a game will be kicked out, and face a fine. Also, the Coach of the offending team, will also be assessed a fine. When I read it, I thought it was just one more nail in the coffin of fighting in hockey. I think it is a stupid rule in the first place, and secondly, Colin Campbell is going to start a major shit storm by not fining The Great One.
There is supposed to be a no tolerance on the enforcement of rules this season, why should this be any different? While I think it is a stupid rule to begin with, I don’t think its right that Gretzky not be fined. I see the point that he didn’t send him out there, and Doan certainly isn’t going to be mentioned much in this space, but I think by not fining Gretz it creates a big problem. Once again, the rules are open to interpretation.
Just like in his playing days, Wayne Gretzky is untouchable. Let’s say for example, Boston is losing with under 5 minutes to go (a stretch, I know, bear with me) and PJ Axelson is lining up for a faceoff on his regular shift. Let’s say earlier in the game, someone had taken a liberty with a Bruin, and as the puck drops, PJ snaps. He drops his gloves, and gets into a fight with the winger next to him. PJ is assessed a 2,5,10, and we’ll see you later. How can Coach Sullivan be fined for that? If you didn’t fine Gretz, you can’t fine Sully right? I ask you: What would happen if it was an enforcer who did the same thing? Why should it matter if it is a skill guy, or a tough guy? I think, especially for this first time, if it is a rule, it’s a rule. Gretz should be fined, and so should Doan. A rule is a rule, even if it is a stupid one.
Give Thanks For The Goons
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am a very thankful man. As you sit to break bread and give thanks with family and friends today, I invite you to think about some things you might be thankful for. For instance:
I am thankful there are still players like Trevor Gillies out there. He’s a young kid just trying to make it to the show. He knows how he’s going to get there, and has no problem doing the job asked of him.
I am thankful Gordie Dwyer had a fight last night. I was beginning to think he was a woman.
I am thankful Tie Domi is still in the league. He had a fight with Andrew Alberts last night, and played a regular shift as well. He’s one of the guys that got me interested in fights in the first place, and I am glad he still plays.
I am thankful for all the boys across the AHL, NHL, ECHL, CHL, UHL, and whatever HL, out there willing to drop the gloves.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I’m Going to the Show!
I had planned a fun filled evening of answering MOL’s questions about Thanksgiving during the Bruins game tonight, but I just got the call from Dave. We’ll be in the house for the Bruins game tonight as they host the Sabres.
This is what I missed about the NHL being gone. Getting the call late on Saturday saying, "hey man, I got an extra, you in?" I feel as excited right now as I did the first time my father took me to the old Boston Garden for my birthday. I know the Bruins suck, and there will probably be no fights, but I still can’t help but get wound up for a chance to see the best players in the world do there thing. At the very least, it’s a chance for Dave and I to get gooned, and make fun of Hal Gill. Enjoy the weekend boys!
Cam Janssen Suspended
He’s not playing, he’s suspended!
I can see the stick boy in Slap Shot now. It seems the AHL got a tape of the hit Cam Janssen put on Mitch Love Wednesday night, and have handed him a two game suspension for his actions.
Janssen and Gladiator Runner up Mike Sgroi were trying all night to get either Gordie Dwyer, or Mitch Love to fight them. I saw love turn Janssen down at least three times, and Dwyer turned them both down probably another six times. Gordie is a super nice kid and all, but he is about as interested in fighting in the AHL, as I am in being ass raped in MCI Cedar Junction. At one point during the game Gordie and Janssen were locked up in a scrum along the boards after a stoppage in play. It appeared to me that Cam tagged Dwyer once, and Gordie turtled. Typical Lockmonster behavior truth be told.
As the game wore on, Janssen and Sgroi were growing tired of the lack of intestinal fortitude shown by the entire Lowell squad. Near the end of the third, Love was breaking out of his zone and had just dished the puck to his partner. As he dished it Janssen lined him, left his feet, and drilled Love, sending him sprawling to the ice. Love’s partner Tomas Slovak jumped in and challenged Janssen. Kudos to Slovak for sticking up for his teammate. Slovak was way out matched by Janssen, and really has no business fighting him at all. He did a great job keeping Janssen at bay, and getting his head far away from Janssen. I don’t really think either guy landed any punches. The penalty box attendant said Janssen winked at Slovak on the way to the box, and gave him a ton of credit for sticking up for Love.
I feel the suspension is warranted. Janssen is lucky he didn’t get a major for intent to injure on the hit. I don’t blame him for doing it, he’s just trying to do his job, but you do the crime, you gotta do the time. That is my second prison reference today. Maybe I do want to go to Cedar Junction? Oh wait….
Hear Ye Hockey Amendments
Article [I.]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
For example: Hockey is a religion and no one will tell us different! I am free to tell Hal Gill "You Suck". When you bring the boys on the ice, it starts as a peaceable.
Article [II.]
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The coach regulates the militia and it is often necessary for those on the ice to bear arms and drop gloves, and no one will infringe on the right of a goon to pull a 5 minute major.
Critics of these amendments are free to cross the border to the great white north. Where hockey is also relatively popular.
Martin Grenier: Busy Brawler
The Goonsquad was well represented in Lowell Saturday night, as Dave (on his maiden voyage to the Paul) and myself were in the house for a thrilling 4-2 shootout win by the hometown Lockmonsters over the dreaded Wolf Pack of Hartford. I think Dave has some good pictures to post later. Naturally his camera didn’t work for the fights, but if you like pictures of Zambonis and stuff, he’s your guy.
I noticed very early on that Martin Grenier had a very big shiner under his left eye. I guess his bout with Danny Bios of Binghamton the night before was pretty serious. I also noticed he was wearing 27 this season. I am not sure why the number change. I think Brushback follows the Pack pretty closely, maybe he can chime in. Anyway, it didn’t take new Lockmonster Ryan Jorde (LOW) long to find anyone to go with, as he and Martin Grenier (HFD) got into it 5 minutes into the opening stanza.
I think Marty gave the youngster a bit of a slash, and Jorde asked if he’d care to have a dust up. Grenier obliged, and off they went. Jorde hung in pretty good against Grenier. I was really surprised, as Marty is a much bigger man than him. Jorde was throwing a lot of nice left hands, while Grenier was countering with some rights of his own. He landed a couple of really hard punches as Jorde was seen sporting a mouse under his left eye for the rest of the game. The fight had started along the boards right next to the Monster’s bench, and Jorde seemed to tire a lot faster than Grenier. The penalty box attendant for the home side reported that when Jorde came in, he reported he had broken his shoulder last season, and this was his first fight in over a year. He also reported that he was only doing his job, and that’s what he was there for. That is good to hear for us Lowell fans, as they haven’t had a true enforcer, someone who really enjoyed the job, since Trevor Gillies was there several seasons ago. All in all, I would score the fight a win for Martin Grenier, but a good showing by Jorde gets points in my book. I would look for these two to go again next meeting.
Anyone that has followed the AHL for the last couple of seasons knows very well that Hartford and Lowell do not like each other. The bad blood between the two boiled over about 8 minutes into the second period. As the play stopped, a little scrum started to the right of the Hartford goal. It started like any typical after the play scrum, face washes, guys pushing each other. I am sure you have seen it a million times. Here’s the thing: it didn’t stop. The boys just kept pushing each other, and then some gloves came off, and punches got thrown from around other guys. Eventually Dave Liffiton (HFD) and another Lockmonster newcomer Tomas Slovak (LOW) paired up, and Mitch Love (LOW) and Craig Weller (HFD) squared off as well. The Liffiton and Slovak match up looked like it was a lot of hugging, but Love and Weller seemed to be chucking and trading some decent punches. Love loves the uppercut, and tried to land a few, but it doesn’t look like he landed any. They traded two to three punches each, back and forth. Eventually, they got tired and the Zebras came in to separate them. I would say both fights were a draw, but I love line brawls like that. The only thing that would have made it better, would have been if the goalies got involved.
The last fight of the night happened in the third period when Bruce Graham (HFD) and Cody McCormick (LOW) got into it along the dasher in the Hartford end. Graham had just leveled Ryan Jorde behind the Hartford goal, and Cody took exception to the hit. He jumped Graham, and they got into it hot and heavy. I really couldn’t see the fight from my vantage point, but a friend at ringside scored the fight a win for McCormick. From what I saw, it looked like he did in fact land more punches, but again, I really couldn’t see, so maybe I am being a homer.
I love the Hartford and Lowell rivalry. These guys clearly hate each other, and I find Marty Grenier awesome to watch. He is just a massive guy, and is always in the middle of everything. Dave really enjoyed himself, and may or may not be getting season tickets as we speak. Also, big ups to Dave for donating the Best of Will Ferrell video for our troops overseas. This update is coming two days late because we went to a party after the game, where the GoonSquad almost had a go of their own. I will just say that there was a difference in political opinions in the room, and they almost came to a boil. Call it a scrum in the corner if you will. Dave accidentally got hungover, so we spent yesterday watching the Patriots and trying to drink the pain away. I hope eveyone had a good weekend. I am hoping for a Colton Orr tilt Thursday against Toronto. I would think he’d be a marked man after his tilt with Belak last time. Lowell has Albany on Wednesday. They had some bad blood last time, and I hope it continues. Any updates, can be found here. Take care all.