It was the type of game you rarely see in the new NHL. Challenges were made, bodies slammed, fists flew.
Yessiree, the Lightning and Rangers engaged in a little old-time hockey Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Although Tampa Bay fell 5-0, there was satisfaction among players that they answered when challenged physically in a game that had 73 penalty minutes.
"We're a team. That's how we handle ourselves here," wing Ryan Craig said. "That's the way it's always been. There's a time and place, and so be it, this was the place."
"That's what teams are about," coach John Tortorella said. "That's what good teams are about. I wish more guys would get in there."
Avery is an agitator. "You know, he wants to put on a show; Mr. Hollywood," Roy said. "So right off the start, he's chirping on the bench. I asked him to fight five times, but he just likes to chirp. That's what he's good at. He's a big mouth."
Roy ended up fighting Orr in the second period. "Orr was probably babysitting him," Roy said, "because he needs a babysitter."
"You don't see it in the league anymore," Tortorella said. "I'm glad it happened. That's part of hockey. We all get surprised when it happens. That is where the league has gone to. That should be an everyday occurrence in the game of hockey."
Tortorella is a breathe of fresh air in this vanilla new NHL...
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