ESPN's Patrick Hruby - Hockey Fight Fan Fanatic

Twominutesforblogging, Fried Chickens Hockey Fight Site, and ESPN Page 2’s Patrick Hruby recently hooked up for an E-Ticket story to give an inside look into the hockey fight fan community. The story has been in the works since last year.

At that time, Patrick, a former Washington Times staff writer and current Page 2 heavy hitter (with one of the best jobs in the world says me!), contacted Twominutes for a chat about enforcers and their devoted fans. With a bit of guidance, he ran with the story and was soon catching flights to meet some of hockey’s toughest enforcers, including Derek and Aaron Boogaard, Georges Laraque, Milan Lucic, and former LNAH and current AHL sensation Jon “Nasty” Mirasty.

As a member of Fried Chicken’s message board, we were also able to put Patrick in touch with some of the most devoted hockey fight fans in the world. Patrick again hit the road, this time to connect with some of FC’s finestl; and he was kindly taken in to homes and small town arenas so he could experience first hand just how loyal these fans are to their favorite enforcers and teams.

With recent news coming out that ESPN has expressed interest in bringing hockey back to their airways, you can’t help but think about other moves ESPN had made recently as well. Don Cherry, an outspoken proponent of tough, physical hockey and enforcers, was brought in on a part-time basis to cover the 2008 NHL playoffs. Cherry, night after night, continues to work in pokes at the NHL for their stubborn unwillingness to promote hockey’s true characters and fan favorites. And when you combine his commentary with long-time enforcer fan Barry Melrose, you can’t help but wonder if ESPN is sending a message to the NHL about just what fans, and their network, wants more of from a game that has come to resemble European hockey moreso than even 1980s and 90s NHL hockey.

Now ESPN hits the internet community with a huge E-Ticket story on the fans that continue to support the few remaining tough guys of the NHL and minor league circuits.

And at the very start of the Stanley Cup Finals mind you. Peculiar timing, eh?

While I am not saying the NHL’s hopes of hitting the ESPN timeslots once again are linked to the NHL’s ability or willingness to promote hockey enforcers, I will gladly say that I think ESPN is sending a message to NHL leadership that the “worldwide leader in sports” (and the final say on the image of all sports) is in tune to exactly what the overwhelming majority of hockey fans want to see more of in their game.

Now it’s up to NHL to listen or keep their index fingers firmly implanted in their ears. And since that the NHL has yet to acknowledge countless fan polls, or even NHL player surveys, displaying everyone's desire to see less rules in the game that handcuff players from policing the game as it happens, I doubt we'll see any movement on Sixth Avenue any time soon.

Lack of Playoff Fights Nothing New

While I usually pin most of my blame for the overall lack of fighting on the finesse-like rules implemented following the lockout, the same cannot be said of playoff fights.

Fighting in the playoffs has been pretty much non-existent since the Detriot/Avalanche rivalry years in the mid to late 90s. And even then, if you were to take out those series', you'd still probably be looking at fight totals that look very similar to today's gentlemanly playoff scene.

In order to find real hate between teams (in the way of fighting) you have to look back to the 80s when a fight/playoff game was common.

And while most hockey fans salivate at the thought of hockey turning back the clock and reviving early to mid 80s hockey, that won't be happening under Uncle Gary's watch where protecting stars, levying large suspensions, late game penalties, and pre-series warnings about fighting are commonplace.

A look at fighting major totals and fights/game since 1970:

Year Number Average/Game
1969-1970 29 0.85
1970-1971 29 0.67
1971-1972 25 0.69
1972-1973 15 0.39
1973-1974 36 0.95
1974-1975 40 0.78
1975-1976 35 0.73
1976-1977 25 0.57
1977-1978 46 1.02
1978-1979 30 0.67
1979-1980 81 1.21
1980-1981 72 1.06
1981-1982 80 1.13
1982-1983 65 0.98
1983-1984 103 1.47
1984-1985 102 1.46
1985-1986 103 1.43
1986-1987 105 1.21
1987-1988 124 1.48
1988-1989 59 0.72
1989-1990 32 0.38
1990-1991 61 0.66
1991-1992 25 0.29
1992-1993 11 0.13
1993-1994 23 0.26
1994-1995 17 0.21
1995-1996 18 0.21
1996-1997 28 0.34
1997-1998 20 0.24
1998-1999 9 0.1
1999-2000 17 0.2
2000-2001 9 0.1
2001-2002 16 0.18
2002-2003 7 0.08
2003-2004 20 0.27
2004-2005 Gary's Alone Time
2005-2006 18 0.22
2006-2007 17 0.21
2007-2008 11 0.14

Let Them Play!

Anyone else bothered by the inconsistency of playoff refereeing? I've been screaming since the lockout that referees are controling the flow of the game with an influx of penalty calls, be them blatant, marginal, or non-existent.

And while past playoff years have yielded end-to-end rushes, bone curshing body checks, and passion-filled games, this year's playoffs have been filled with powerplays and penalty kills, emotionless dead zones that kill the flow of the game.

The NHL simply doesn't get it. Players are petrified that the next call will be on them. Why finish a check when there is a good chance the head zebra in charge will be raising his hand, blowing his whistle, and calling your number to the penalty box for two minutes of “remember to not to check too hard or touch a player with your stick above his knee time.” Derian Hatcher has pretty much gone numb to the star treatment Sid and Gino have received in their series. And why would John Stevens ever put out some toughness at the end of a game to send a message these days? We all know Collie and Gary have put the word out that message-sending will not be tolerated in their playoffs.

Meanwhile, ESPN has hired Don Cherry for the playoffs, a clear message to the NHL that they know what NHL fans want. I also am aware of another hockey story coming out soon, an E-Ticket story about the hockey fight community and the countless fans that cheer on their favorite enforcers. Boy, ESPN and the NHL are on the same page, eh?

But sorry hockey fans, it's too late. The NHL has spoken and we will get a snooze fest for a Stanley Cup final. Shoot, no one in Detroit even cares anymore. Empty seats for playoff games??? And the Penguins have been given a helping hand to the Cup finals. While they have been impressive, the number of astonishing calls are too many to be overlooked.

Well, at least Gary and Collie will be happy.

The rest of us will have to put down our beer cans, go to the convenience store, and bring home some wine coolers in preparation.

Poor Matchups and Referee Mishaps Defining Playoffs (for me)

Could the matchups for the 2008 NHL playoffs be any worse than they are?

Those hoping for a Penguins/Flyers or Wild/Flames/Ducks first round matchups were instead treated to Penguins/Senators and Predators/Wings and Avs/Wild cards. Excuse me while I zonk out for those "doozies."

The Penguins throwing their last game of the regular season didn't help things much. Has anyone else seen so many open shots blatantly miss the net? I believe the tell-tale sign was six powerplays and a meager six shots on net? I recall reading that the NHL would be investigating the game. Something tells me that will drop off of the "to do" list considering the implications that could arise would not be good PR for the NHL.

On to Round 1 and what do you remember? Sean "$500 John" Avery legally waived his stick in Marty "Fatso" Brodeur's face, prompting Colin Campbell to create a new rule out of an old rule. Fatso didn't want to shake Avery's hand after the series either, another wise decision made by a role model of thousands of little kids (join the club Marty). Apparently this is becoming a trend. Brodeur isn't the only one not to shake hands in recent years. So don't lay all the blame on him. Tradition isn't only being killed by league leadership; certain players have been compelled to create new practices as well.

Side - note to the New Jersey Devils. Did you see the Penguins' response, notably Hal Gill and Georges Laraque, to Sean Avery sticking Fleury? You should have done the same. Too late.

What about the referees? They don't escape criticism. Althought I won't gripe too much about the Caps game seven loss to the Flyers, I will say that the Flyers' second goal was a carbon copy of a "goal" that was disallowed in Tampa a few weeks earlier. As a matter of fact, not only was the goal disallowed, the Capitals forward that pushed the Lightning player into their goalie was assessed a goaltender interference penalty.

And when I say carbon copy, I mean the exact same play with the exception of different players wearing different jerseys.

Which brings me to the topic of penalty standards. Has anyone else noticed that referees are calling things differently not only from game to game but period to period? While I am all for letting the players decide the game in overtime, standards have changed depending upon the score and who was assessed the last penalty. I thought the NHL was trying to eliminate his practice? If so, it isn't working. And it is a black eye for those that watch and, even more so, for those that know the game of hockey.

Funny side - apparently Gary Bettman and Colly Campbell nipped the "Avery New Rule" teeshirt in the bud at that last second, this after the NHL's marketing office, the NHLPA, and Avery approved the shirt. But Gary and Colly didn't find the humor in it. Ah, a league run by non-hockey guys with no sense of humor. You gotta love it. The NHL will be a better place when the league is run by someone with a touch of charisma.

So here we are in round two with the Pens/Rangers (finally a series worth watching), Canadians/Flyers (for the sake of the city of Montreal and it's police car inventory, the Flyers need to win this series), Stars/Sharks (please go home Joe - the Sharks are drastically boring to watch!), and the Wing/Avs (does anyone else wonder who the NHL is trying to fool by replaying the classic Wings/Avs brawls of the 90s? Newsflash, it isn't going to happen. You killed the possibility of rivalries with your new rules).

Play on. With the exception of poor matchups and penalty calling standards (there has been a lot of diving too!), the NHL playoffs are always fun to watch because of the players that leave it all on the ice night in and night out.

Update. It appears that I am not alone in my assessment of the refereeing. While I won't hammer the zebras, I will say that it is disappointing that they are constantly the center of attention.

All Things Avs - Horrible Refereeing
Here's a Start! Collie Campbell to Become Next Leaf's GM?
Ref Tells Straka to F Himself? Video Here.
Refs Under Fire in NHL Playoffs

Colin Campbell Disrespects Paul Kelly

Welcome to the NHL Paul Kelly... your job means squateushe.

And while that is not entirely true, that may very well be how some might interpret it after league disciplinarian, Colin Campbell, communicated a new rule interpretation to combat Sean Avery's screen tactics against Marty Brodeur.

Is it me or is this why we have a Competition Committee? Is it me or is this why the Board of Governors gets together every year to meet about the NHL's rules?

INTERPRETATION OF RULE 75 – UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

NEW YORK/TORONTO (April 14, 2008) -- National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell today issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct: "An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

Sure Collie may have just been interpreting a rule. But he has essentially created a whole new rule in the context of an old one.

Next thing you know, Collie will be sending notice that penalties will be stiffened for teams that fight towards the end of a playoff game. Wait a second, as reported on TSN, that has already happened too!

Paul, Paul, Paul. What will you do? This is the league disciplinarian that is essentially toying with the rules of the game in which your players play. Time to step it up Paul.

More on Avery's screen tactics:

C-A-P-S!!! Caps! Caps! Caps!

After completing one of the most improbable comebacks in NHL history, the Washington Capitals have an opponent for Round 1 of the playoffs. The Philadelphia Flyers, victors against the mysteriously absent-minded Penguins today, will take on the Caps in what should be a very physical series between these two rugged teams.

The Caps and Flyers played to season split this year:

Nov. 2: Flyers 3 at Capitals 2
Nov. 23: Capitals 4 at Flyers 3 (OT)
Jan. 13: Flyers 6 at Capitals 4
Feb. 6: Capitals 4 at Flyers 3

From a physical standpoint, the teams match up quite well. Heavyweights Donald Brashear and Riley Cote, who Georges Laraque recently called the toughest pound-for-pound player in the NHL, could meet up a couple of times to set the tone of the series. Both teams feature a couple of pests as well... the Flyers with Scottie Hartnell and Steve Downie (if he gets a jersey) and the Caps with Matt Cooke. The Capitals are rounded out by John Erskine and Matt Bradley. The Flyers also have Mike Richards and Jason Smith to provide a physical spark.

If Daniel Briere gets healthy, it will be interesting to see if he and Alexander Ovechkin continue their on-ice feud. Two years ago, Ovechkin boarded Briere while he was a member of the Sabres. The very next game Briere speared Ovechkin in his groin. Ovechkin went on to say that he challenged Briere to a fight but was declined.

While the physical side of the series will play a role, the deciding factors will be goaltending and special teams. And while both teams have been hot as of late, the playoffs are uncharted territories for many players involved, especially those on the Capitals.

No schedule has been issued as of yet. When it comes out, it will be posted here.

How Rules are Changed in the NHL

James Mirtle recently granted me a few minutes of his time to answer an email I sent him regarding how rules are changed in the NHL. Thanks James!

Look Out Flyers; Here Comes the Capitals!

Although my blog has more of a pro-enforcers feel to it rather than an affiliation with a team, believe it or not, I am a [Washington Capitals] fan. Last week, I had the pleasure of making it to two Capitals games, the first against the Pens on Sunday, and the second against the Flames on Wednesday.

Good story with the Penguins game. For the past year plus, I have been serving as an unofficial tour guide to an ESPN writer (that shall remain nameless) as he does some research for a story he will be writing before the end of the season. The writer (that shall remain nameless) wanted to attend the Penguins game with my brother and I (and have ESPN pony up for the tickets!), but found out that the game was sold out. He emailed me to let me know. One word… bummer! Who in their right mind, wouldn't want to see Sid the Kid and Gino take on Washington Capitals' Young Guns?

Well the tiny cylinders started spinning in my head and I went out on a limb and Cc’d a one Ted Leonsis on my reply and asked him if maybe he could help out with a set of tickets (being that the Caps would be getting some pub in the story). Hours later, a one sentence response comes back from the Caps’ owner… “It will be taken care of.” A Caps ticket rep steps in shortly thereafter and Sunday we are sitting seven rows behind the net… a perfect view to see Backstrom tap home the game winner for the Pens! So it goes.

And while I thought our playoff hopes were dashed at that very moment, it appears that the Philly Flyers are trying their very hardest to not make the playoffs. Derian Hatcher is out… although I wouldn't mind him in the way he has been playing this year. R.J. "Step Right Up and Concuss Me" Umberger decided to join him yesterday as well. Danny “Ball Spearer” Briere and Chris "Little League Champ" Drury aren’t living up to expectations. And the Caps just reeled off two consecutive wins to pull within two points of the black and orange. Nine games to go each for Philly, the Buffaslugs, and Washington. Game on!

Washington has to keep up the intensity for these next nine games. If there has been any one area that the club has been weak in, it’s playing a full 60 minutes. Late game losses to the Bruins (a Brashear triple minor didn’t help) and Pens (the Caps did play the day before!) have called into question their ability to close a game strongly. Alexander Semin continues to sleep in my dog house. The Russian Gun Slinger has been coughing the puck up way to much for anyone’s liking. One highlight reel goal is followed by what seems like ten turnovers and general lack of interest to make effective passes to teammates. Someone please let him know that the entire league is well aware of his desire to go to the curl-and-drag five times a game.

Alexander Ovechkin sits at 99 points with 57 goals. And while he is easily projected to join the 60 goal club, you can see the phenom pressing a little as he has been forcing shots and cherry picking a bit too much for my taste. By the way Alex, please hold off until the third period against the Panthers to score that goal… if you could do that, I win a nice AO jersey. That would mean a full six games for Alex to score three goals. On second thought, go ahead and press some more OV.

And before I step out, a warm salute to the Washington Capitals message boards. Please keep in mind that you represent the virtual Washington Capitals. Your behavior recently has been extremely questionable.

Wake Up Colin Campbell!!!

Chris Pronger 100% INTENTIONALLY STOMPED on Kesler!!!!! When you do NOTHING about this, you are discrediting the NHL. Keep up the good work.

New, up-close, YouTube footage:



Update - Collie decided to wake up. Eight games for the Anaheim Captain. Not surprising that he took the suspension like a man. While I regularly question Pronger's testosterone levels, Brian Burke probably sat him down before his post-suspension press conference and gave him some tips on acting manly.

Whine Tasting On Caps' Message Boards

whine
v. whined, whin·ing, whines
v.intr.
1. To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint.
2. To complain or protest in a childish fashion.
3. To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch: jet engines whining.

While I can only read the words on the Caps' message boards, they do indeed come off as high-pitched, protracted sounds that are painful to my ears.

Is this what Ted Leonis was hoping for when he set out to make the Washington Capitals the most virtually accessible team in sports?

As if it wasn't painful and embarrassing enough to lose two crucial games in the final minutes/seconds of both games, the latter game coming in our own barn against the Penguins who trucked down a ton of fans to fill at least 1/4 of our barn and then promptly have their superstar get the best of our superstar yet again (gasping for air), Caps' message boarders have to go and validate that they are indeed the absolute whiniest fans on the net?

Message to the Caps' message board... stop. Create a game day thread for the Flames game and move on.

All Things Avs Says Smack [the Ducks] in the Mouth!

Easier said than done. But Adrian certainly has caught my curiousity for tonight's game. Will Lappy, Scott Parker, and the rest of the Avs bring the pain?

From All Things Avs:

When the bully comes your way and tries to do his thing, you smack him in the mouth. And when he doesn’t like it, you smack him in the mouth again. And when he doesn’t like it still, you smack him in the mouth.

What am I talking about? In the immediate sense, I’m talking about an Avalanche team that is having the bully, the Anaheim Ducks, come to town tomorrow. My story in the print edition of tomorrow’s Post is the PC version of what I was trying to get across: the Avs have a choice, and that is to be bullied or stand up and smack the bully in the mouth.

Now maybe it's just me, but that is quite a bit of smacking Adrian has planned for tonight. Maybe they should sign Ric Flair to PTO??? Wooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Richard Zednik Throat Cut Youtube

Paul Kukla will keep you updated on Zednik's condition. My thoughts are with Zednik and his family. What a terrible accident, one that brings Clint Malarchuk's name to mind very quickly. And as Malarchuk did, Zednik, incredibly, was able to will himself to stand up and skate off the ice.

Morning Update - Zednik underwent successful surgery last night and is resting comfortably this morning. He is listed in stable condition.

Reads:

The Game Must Go On - But at What Price?
The Zednik Scare
The Ultimate Sports Road Trip
Jokinen - "We shouldn't have finished the game."

Wow Was the Skills Competition Poorly Run

Thirty minutes after the skills competition and I am still trying to figure out how Brian Campbell ended up as the East's representative in the fastest skater finals. I think he was the slowest guy out there!

How pathetic were some of the attempts on the Breakaway Challenge? Can someone tell Nabakov to back up in his crease and not stop Marty St. Louis before he even gets a chance to start his trick shot???

Oh yes, what was the score to the Young Guns game? Because someone was having a hard time keeping track during the game.

And please, can we ask Rick Depietro how he got so good at shooting the puck the length of the ice one more time???

Finally, never have the All-Star game in Hotlanta a game. You could hear a pin drop. Don't reward non-hockey towns with all-star games.... ever.

Georges Laraque Should Not Be Suspended

When you consider this just netted Ilya Kovalchuk and grand total of one game...


How does this earn anything more?


Laraque did not leave his feet as did Kovalchuk. Downie was also bent over and turned toward the boards at the last second. That was not the case with Roszival. By the way, Downie soon returned to the game and got into a fight the very next period. Yeah, he's was really hurt.

So I can't help but wonder... will the league will continue to play the star treatment?

NHL Fighting Majors Leaders with notes

Per hockeyfights.com:

Jared Boll - 18
Amazing fight total right now for the youngster. Boll has taken on all willing middleweights with a side of heavies mixed in.

Riley Cote - 15
Cote is the hottest fighter in the league right now, with the exception of his fight against Laraque last night. He has scored some good wins over Peters, Rupp, and "the newspaper yapper" McGrattan.

David Clarkson - 14
Is he a pest? Or is he a fighter? He's both. And he did NOT get scratched by Steve Downie the other night. Stop whining Devils fans!

George Parros - 14
"The stache" continue to rack up the fight totals. Coming back from a bummed knee, he had a nice showing against David "the nose" Koci last night.

Zack Stortini - 12
"The Hugger" has been very active of late, fighting some seven times in a two-week span!!!

Colton Orr - 11
Had a boring fight with against Boulton the other night. That being said, he is logging some great minutes in New York and is even seeing time to start the game and end the game.

Krys Barch - 10
If he played against the Ducks 15 times, he'd have 15 fights. Him and Brad May have something going, although there is a good amount of respect there as Barch pointed out a helmet below May's feet before they fought last time. May later said he appreciated that.

Daniel Carcillo - 10
Coming back from a knee injury, Carcillo will see a game or two in San Antonio before getting called back up. Carcillo is easily one of the most exciting young players in the game right now.

Eric Godard - 10
He can't skate, he can't score. But he can fight! We're all just waiting for him and Boogaard to hook up. Let's make that happen some time this year, eh?

Ian Laperriere - 10
Lappy continues to rack up the fight totals. This guy does not take a night off.

D.J. King - 9
Probably the best win percentage in the past two years, I had D.J. King at 17-2 (only losses to Boogaard) at one point. King is also one of the most exciting fighters in the league right now, showing a willingness to open up and go toe-to-toe with opponents.

Georges Laraque - 9
BGL (Big Georges Laraque) has been less than impressive this year. He has scored some wins, but in boring fashion for the once "heavyweight champ" of the league. His balance has been his achilles heal.

Milan Lucic - 9
A broken nose from hitting the end boards has sidelined the fighting side of the 19 year olds game as of late. But word has it that Lucic will be able to test it out some time after the all-star break.

Aaron Voros - 9
One of the most exciting young players in the game right now, Voros does it all. Fights, grinds in the corners, checks, and battles in front of the net. How can you not like this guy???

Adam Burish - 8
Who is Adam Burish? An American-born lightweight that has taken on the likes of Drake, Ritchie (anyone that fights him is okay in my book), and Lappy. Chicago fans have got to like this guy!

Tim Jackman - 8
The quiet giant (is 6'4" a giant these days?), Jackman is picking up the slack that Chrissy Simon has left.

David Koci - 8
"The Nose" has been fairly inactive as of late. Yawn.

Andrew Peters - 8
Easily the most disappointing fighter of the year, Peters throws and misses a couple of bombs every fight. It looks like the guy is afraid to take a punch.

Andre Roy - 8
Roy continues to quietly impress. He put the beat down on Luke Richardson last night.

Chris Thorburn - 8
Thorburn makes for a nice one/two punch in Pittsburgh, with guys like Armstrong and Malone rounding out a fine cast of brawlers.

Eric Boulton - 7
Boulton has been mad as of late, earning himself a much-deserved Game Misconduct for pounding on some Sabres the other night. See what happens when you don't dress your heavy Lindy Ruff???

Donald Brashear - 7
The current "Champ" of the NHL, with only one loss coming to Brian McGrattan, Brashear has been impressive again this year. His highlight fight came when he dropped BGL with two lefts to the noggin.