Datsyuk exercised a demon tonight. Perry's a humungous ***** and Dats finally called his bluff, exposing him for what he is.
There's no doubt in my mind that Dats has picked up some tips from Boogie. Knowing to get the grab arm locked, using it as leverage to dodge big punches coming his way, maintaining his balance so he doesn't get clocked, throwing the overhands and going uppercut when Fairy tried to duck under, changing to throw lefty when the fight dictated it, and finally taking him down at the end. Great showing by the Lady Binger!
I was expecting a Dats beatdown or even a Semin-like showing but Dats held his own. Great job!
But really, getting someone to come in and fight 10 times then not play in the playoffs isn't going to make one bit of difference. Thinking otherwise is stupid.
Yet the Wings have done this season after season, dressing a toughie over more skilled players that they absolutely have in the minors. The enforcer creates an environment of toughness that rubs off on other players. This is they key point that is ignored. By the time the team gets to the playoffs, hopefully the enforcer isn't needed. If it didn't make one bit of difference, they wouldn't f***in' do it.
No amount of huffing and puffing on this board can change the fact that enforcers are alive and well in today's "changed" game. But please, entertain us some more from your living rooms and basements.
Change on the fly...Closest guy to the bench gets off the ice, the "tuff guy" jumps on, and goes after the opponent causing trouble.
^ This. It happens all the time and is failed to be acknowledged by the anti's concocting ridiculous theories as to why they think enforcers are useless.