The Fight Thread

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

What do you guys think? Any chance that Laraque and Peters fight in the snow today? I know Bettman doesn't want it to happen for this huge nationally televised game, but I'd love to see it.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

All the players are probably under orders not to fight...knowing Bettman. There hasnt any animosity whatsoever in this game, that = BORING!

[johnnyoski 0]

Not a bad list. You must be a McSorley fan, cause I've never seen anyone rank him so high. He was a great fighter, but never one of my favorites. Also, how can you omit Wilson or Playfair? Those guys hardly ever lost even though they fought in the toughest era of fighting in the NHL.

I'm far from a McSorley fan. I might have him ranked a bit high but from the late 80's - early 90's he took on everyone.

Only reason I don't have Wilson or Playfair on my list is that neither one got into more than 15 fights or so in one single season. They hardly have any blemishes on their records but they weren't dropping the gloves as often as alot of the other enforcers.

[BlueMonk 102]

I call Downey-Walker a draw in a crap fight. But I'm glad the fight happened. My goal is to see Detroit finish somewhere near the middle of the pack in team fighting majors. I need that. Sorry, I just do.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I'm far from a McSorley fan. I might have him ranked a bit high but from the late 80's - early 90's he took on everyone.

Only reason I don't have Wilson or Playfair on my list is that neither one got into more than 15 fights or so in one single season. They hardly have any blemishes on their records but they weren't dropping the gloves as often as alot of the other enforcers.

You had Gillies on your list (which I agree with), but he hardly ever dropped the gloves either. Not that many people wanted to fight those guys because of their reputation. Remember how Twist could barely hit 100 PIM's each year because he didn't have many takers. It's true that Gillies, Wilson, or Playfair would have more losses if they fought more often, but they'd still dominate most of the fights. They were that good.

[Kp-Wings 3]

All the players are probably under orders not to fight...knowing Bettman. There hasnt any animosity whatsoever in this game, that = BORING!

Are you talking about the outdoor game?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Are you talking about the outdoor game?

Yep

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Is that Ken Belanger in your avatar????

[Kp-Wings 3]

Is that Ken Belanger in your avatar????

Yes it is. It's too bad he retired. He was playing for the Kings not too long ago, but I guess injuries, and the fact that the NHL frowns upon fighting now, got the best of him.

As for the outdoor game: Yeah, I agree with you. You had to figure there wouldn't be any fighting in that, though. Bettman thinks that fighting is what is making the NHL's reputation bad, when really, it's what draws fans to the game. You never see anyone sitting down during a fight at a game, well, at least I don't.

Oh well. The outdoor game was still somewhat interesting, probably because it's a novelty item in hockey now. I wonder what the actual ratings were...

Edited January 1, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Belanger had a ton of concussion problems, I thought he was great when he was on the Isles. He had a year or two run where he really burst onto the scene, but he fell off really fast cause of the head issues. Man, once he got going with that left he could really dominate. I remember when the B's announcers were crying bloody murder when he destroyed their boy Odgers....thats probably my favorite Belanger moment. He was one of my faves back then.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Or there was the one where he got knocked down by Cummins right off the bat, got up...and proceded to just pound him with wicked lefts!

Of course....everything wasnt always hunky dorry...

Laus kills Kenny

Edited January 2, 2008 by Lou_Siffer

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Or there was the one where he got knocked down by Cummins right off the bat, got up...and proceded to just pound him with wicked lefts!

Of course....everything wasnt always hunky dorry...

Laus kills Kenny

I haven't seen that fight in a while. Laus was a monster with that right hand. I remember he decked Berube the same way also. It's too bad his career ended too early much like Belanger's, but most fighters' careers do end too early.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I haven't seen that fight in a while. Laus was a monster with that right hand. I remember he decked Berube the same way also. It's too bad his career ended too early much like Belanger's, but most fighters' careers do end too early.

Yep i remember that uppercut on Berube, where it looked like he flew up 2 feet in the air!

[BlueMonk 102]

You guys are getting me all nostalgic talking about guys like Berube, Belanger, Laus and Cummins. Cummins was a good Dearborn, Michigan boy.

Brashear and McGrattan went the other night and Gratts appeared to get the win. Brash dodged Gratts in the previous Caps-Sens game, and even Grapes called him out a bit for it when Brash fought Neil instead. Even though Brash finally did square off with Gratts, it does seem like he's a bit gun shy from their last fight. Gratts is 2-0 now against Brash, pretty impressive.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You guys are getting me all nostalgic talking about guys like Berube, Belanger, Laus and Cummins. Cummins was a good Dearborn, Michigan boy.

Brashear and McGrattan went the other night and Gratts appeared to get the win. Brash dodged Gratts in the previous Caps-Sens game, and even Grapes called him out a bit for it when Brash fought Neil instead. Even though Brash finally did square off with Gratts, it does seem like he's a bit gun shy from their last fight. Gratts is 2-0 now against Brash, pretty impressive.

I don't have anything against McGrattan, but I seriously doubt that Brashear is afraid of him or is dodging him. That's just the way Brashear is, and that's why so many hate him for his antics. I'd still put him above a guy like McGrattan. And what's wrong with Neil fighting instead? He talks a mean game, so he shouldn't complain when he's forced to back it up. This isn't basketball after all.

[BlueMonk 102]

I don't have anything against McGrattan, but I seriously doubt that Brashear is afraid of him or is dodging him. That's just the way Brashear is, and that's why so many hate him for his antics. I'd still put him above a guy like McGrattan. And what's wrong with Neil fighting instead? He talks a mean game, so he shouldn't complain when he's forced to back it up. This isn't basketball after all.

McGrattan seems to be in his noodle a little bit, not sure why. It's pretty easy to see when he's grappling for control during this fight. Brash seems really reluctant. Brash is still clearly the #1 or #2 fighter, I'm not arguing that.

The only problem I had with the Neil incident is he dodged McGrattan and then went with the much smaller Neil. Which only bolsters the argument that he's reluctant to go with Gratts.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Smid and Backes went tonight in the EDM/STL game tonight. It was a goodie, Smid gets the win.

[FinRedWing 172]

Jarkko Ruutu and Darcy Tucker just went for it.

It was a great one,started a bit slow but got better.

Anyone else catch that?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

You guys are getting me all nostalgic talking about guys like Berube, Belanger, Laus and Cummins. Cummins was a good Dearborn, Michigan boy.

Brashear and McGrattan went the other night and Gratts appeared to get the win. Brash dodged Gratts in the previous Caps-Sens game, and even Grapes called him out a bit for it when Brash fought Neil instead. Even though Brash finally did square off with Gratts, it does seem like he's a bit gun shy from their last fight. Gratts is 2-0 now against Brash, pretty impressive.

I wouldnt put it passed Brashear to be a little afraid of McGrattan...it sounds stupid given that he's still the #2 fighter in the league imo but Brashear is weird like that. I remember a fight way back where he was owning McCarthy early on, but spent the second half of the fight backpedaling from him in what looked like total cowardice. Once Sandy got an intense crazed look on his face Brashear took tail and ran basically.

EDIT: McCarthy jersey also ripped off at the time Brashear ran, but still...no excuse for that other than fear.

Edited January 4, 2008 by Lou_Siffer

[BlueMonk 102]

I remember that fight, Lou. It's on YouTube.

Here's a great interview with McGrattan. This was before the game in which he fought Brashear.

McGrattan wants Brashear to tango

By DON BRENNAN

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It's a standing invite, but Brian McGrattan will make sure he delivers it again all the same.

First opportunity he gets on the Verizon Centre ice with Capitals enforcer Donald Brashear tomorrow afternoon, McGrattan will ask the big man if he wants to dance. Just as he does with every other top-class NHL brawler. Just as he does each time he lines up against Brashear. Just as he did Saturday.

"Any time there's another heavyweight in the lineup I'll always ask him to fight," McGrattan said yesterday. "I'll try to fight him again. I'll try to fight him every time we play. I fought him two years ago when we were in Philly. We'll see if he wants to go again on Tuesday."

Brashear declined McGrattan's early-game offer Saturday. Instead, he went toe-to-toe with Chris Neil at the end of the second period.

Against someone two inches shorter and 30 lbs. lighter, Brashear threw two dozen punches, mostly at Neil's right ear.

Neil, whose face was unmarked after the battle, only tossed a couple. He did, however, wind up on top of his opponent after ending the scrap with a right.

"I don't know if the coach told him not to fight or whatever, but if the guy doesn't want to fight, he doesn't want to fight," McGrattan said of being turned down by the 15-year veteran. "He obviously picked his spot.

"But Neiler is just as tough as anybody else too. I thought he did a great job, that he came back and won the fight at the end. Neiler's one of the tougher guys I've played with, too. "Either one of us would have done a good job against him."

And how did McGrattan do against Brashear that night in Philly two years ago?

A quick peek at hockeyfights.com reminds that he knocked Brashear's helmet off with three early rights, tossed three more rights and then, after taking a left, finished things by spinning him to the ice as he threw one last overhand right.

McGrattan was given 83% of the votes by those who visit the website and scored the bout.

"It was a good fight, went back and forth," McGrattan remembered, before adding with a laugh: "I don't lose too many. But when I do lose them, I lose them. I'll be licking the ice when I lose them."

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Bell and Malone just went and it was a dandy. I'll give Bell the edge but they were throwing some bombs.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I love Lucic, but at least this will quiet any champ talk as a little reality sets in. He's now 0-2 vs heavies as he loses to Erskine tonight (gets knocked down as well as at the end). Really good light heavy, but thats it for now.

Lucic vs Erskine

Edited January 4, 2008 by Lou_Siffer

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He's only 19 though Lou, when he's say McGrattans age, I have no problem believing he'll be the champ.

[Grittzkey 1]

I want a heavy weight

[Lou_Siffer 1]

He's only 19 though Lou, when he's say McGrattans age, I have no problem believing he'll be the champ.

Oh Im just talking about right now, not in the future. Theres a misconception going on that Lucic is one of the better fighters in the league at this point in time because he's looked good in so many of his fights...and also that he's a heavy. He's just not at this point is all im saying. The 2 heavies he's fought he's lost to.