Hockey fight fans are glad to see the 2010-2011 season underway. There have been a few memorable fistic moments thus far, and, by and large, the campaign has gotten off to a fairly exciting start. Here’s the lowdown on what happened in the NHL hockey fight world in October 2010.
Best of October 2010 Hockey Fights
Best Punch: Steve MacIntyre of the Edmonton Oilers one-punch destruction of Calgary Flames’ henchman Raitis Ivanans, October 7, 2010. In Ivanans's first regular season fight as a Flame he gets knocked out in the third period. Second Best Punch: Deryk Engellend dropped Colton Orr, October 13, 2010, in a wild punch out.
Best Fight: A wild scrap October 30 between the indomitable Zenon Konopka and the usually yellow-bellied Dan Carcillo; an evenly matched, exhausting tussle in the second period in Philly. Konopka went looking to spark the Islanders, down 4-0 at the time. This terrific, toe-to-toe bout was the best fight of the 2010-2011 season. Both met later in the game for round two: Instigated by Konopka, it turned out to be a shorter, less furious affair – won by Konopka. Honorable Mention: Zenon Konopka vs. Brandon Prust, October 11, 2010.
Biggest Disappointment: Derek Boogaard. The NHL’s reigning heavyweight looked more than a bit torpid in his fights with Colton Orr and Shawn Thornton. Boogaard had the chance to assume the mantle of the league’s preeminent heavyweight, but he looked more like an overblown, overpaid paper tiger than the feared top prospect he once was looked to be. Second Biggest Disappointment: Kevin Westgarth. Through no fault of his own, the prospective NHL heavyweight has been unable to find an opponent to lock horns with for his first NHL career fight.
Best Rivalry: Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers. Four fights took place in the first Battle of Alberta, October 7, followed up by a three-fight game October 26. Second Best: It was a frenetic night in San Jose on October 30 as the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks fought six times. Hockey fight fans were treated to an early heavyweight showdown (upstart Frazer McClaren of the Sharks got the better of George Parros), a rollicking pair of light heavyweight and middleweights encounters, as well as a pair of simultaneous fights off a second period faceoff. Sharks’ Aaron Vorosand Ducks’ Scott Nichol each earned two fighting majors apiece (Voros vs. Jamal Mayers and Doug Murray; Nichol vs. Kyle Chipchura and Ryan Carter).
Best Old-School Game: San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks six-fight extravaganza October 30. Second Best: Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils five-fight bonanza October 9, which included Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond received an instigator, slashing and game misconduct for jumping John Carlson with less than five minutes remaining in the game. Letourneau-Leblond received a one-game suspension for his action.
Biggest Surprise: Deryk Engellend. October 29 emphasized the continued escalation of Pittsburgh Penguins' winger Deryk Engelland, who has been involved in ten fights in 19 career NHL games, is putting together a tremendously aggressive campaign. Engelland, 4-0, got the best of Philadelphia’s Jody Shelley with a series of right hands, edged Chris Neil (Ottawa) and Kevin Klein (Nashville), and dropped Colton.
Best Acquisition: D.J. King, Washington Capitals. King’s toughness legitimizes and balances the Capitals’ roster. He simply needs to be inserted into the lineup more often than barely a few games a month.
Fighting Majors Leader:
- Zenon Konopka 6
- Tim Jackman 5
- Mike Brown 4
- Ryane Clowe 4
- Deryk Engelland 4
- Brandon Prust 4
Team Fighting Majors Leader:
- Anaheim Ducks 16
- San Jose Sharks 13
- Calgary Flames 12
- New Jersey Devils 10
- Philadelphia Flyers 10
- Pittsburgh Penguins 10
- Toronto Maple Leafs 10
- New York Islanders 9
- St. Louis Blues 9
Team with the Fewest Fighting Majors:
Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning: 2
Penalty Minutes Leader: Zenon Konopka 50.
Other Milestones: Derek Boogaard picked up his first fighting major as a New York Ranger October 21 against Colton Orr. That same night, Jody Shelley logged his first major as a Philadelphia Flyer, outgunning and bloodying Michael Rupp of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Colton Orr and Matt Carkner renewed their hostile rivalry October 9, battling for the fifth time in two seasons.
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
