Man has often resorted to violence to settle problems both big (Nuclear Warfare) or small (Sean Avery). Thankfully, hockey is no different. The problems of "you hit my boy" and "you slashed my tender" are more popular than sliced bread.
What isn't so common is the, "your GF still wants me", sure it is pretty direct and functional, but it just isn't right. However, my personal favorite exists in the AHL.
The American Hockey League boasts my favorite type of dropping the mitts. These players want to make something happen, they need to make something happen.
These guys want to lift their team up and get noticed. The fights often have a preparation that is epic; stick, gloves, undo the chin strap, throw down the bucket and lastly ditch the elbow pads. Partly because the AHL has mandatory visors, but also because it just makes you way tougher.
I have watched quite a few tilts so far this AHL season, and as a long time fan of NHL fights, there just isn't a comparison. Toe to toe, punch for punch fights are more common in the A due to, in my opinion, effort. In the minors, you are never safe and always trying to impress is your mission. To me, these AHL fights are constantly a statement about what type of player you think you are and what type you can become.
Of course, more long-time grinders in the AHL contribute to the fighting but even these guys always want to put on a show instead of just boosting their PM totals (pretty sure NHL fighting leader Brandon Prust has himself in a fantasy league).
At any rate, I am impressed with these AHL fights due to both their frequency and direct impact (the punch to the face kind). Have a look at some of the tilts next time your at a game and think to yourself; why is he fighting? If its NHL, you'll be hard pressed to find the answer past "doing his job".
On an AHL note, the Marlies lost tonight to the Lake Erie Monsters despite having out shot them 35-22. Robbie Earl finally figured out how to score again with his first goal of the season after going scoreless in his first 17 games. The Marlies top line is basically gone as Newbury is injured and all of Williams, Deveaux and Sifers are up with the big club.
The Marlies are in Syracuse tonight facing off against the Crunch for the second time this season.
2 comments:
yo, didn't TSN/SN deal with this like two weeks ago?
just kidding jp. this is one of your best posts so far imo.
lol ya no doubt...like you said the younger fights are better cuz those guys have to prove themselves. All i gotta say is i wish Avery wouldve played against Calgary that night, i realize its bad publicity for nhl but have you seen the damn american rinks??? at least this Avery story made the u.s. realize there still is a sport named hockey. But on the other hand, he is a deuche...and i would love to see someone kick his ass...maybe someone in the ECHL/AHL will once he ends up there!
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