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Well, as I thought, the actual fight didn't quite live up to the anticipation, but it was a good show anyway. There was a scrum in front of Blackburn and Peat came in late to see if Belak wanted a piece of him or not. There were a few hard pushes, then Belak starts punching! It wasn't the greatest setting, the helmets were still on and they were sort of crowded in by the net. Belak starts things off with two good hits, a left and a right. Unfortunately, they glance off Peats helmet. Then they each grabbed each others jersey and Peat went to work. Jeez, this guy punches hard and fast! He landed 5/6 straight rights and it was all over. I think I've figured out why Peat is so good - no one can throw any punches at him once he starts going - they are so busy trying to dodge the bombs he is throwin they forget about offence! Anyway, it was quick and mean and when the dust settled, Peat emerged as the undisputed heavyweight champ! I give up....I've been trying to downplay Peat all year - but he is the man!

Chubb/Gomez - whatta beauty!! The play had started back up the ice, but these two thought they would stay behind to have a little chat. They yapped at each other for quite while, I thought they were going to skate away....but oh no, off come the the helmets and gloves. Chubb waited for an opening then closed quickly - he got in two solid overhand rights that had Gomez wondering why he had agreed to go. However, once they tied each other up, they were both throwing everything but the kitchen sink - rights, lefts, uppercuts - it was great! They were in too close to do much damage, but each landed a couple of good ones for sure. Just when it seemed to be over, Chubb gets the right hand free and lands two punishing uppercuts flush on the jaw of Gomez! I'm thinkin he'd had enough by then and he wrestled Chubb to the ground. Great scrap - both the boys got a wll deserved ovation by the crowd. I'd have to call it Chubbs fight - he started and finished strong - the middle was a draw.

DeeJay's comment.....

F.M.’ s comment.....

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I'd have to write a book to describe this one properly.  You had to see it to believe it.  It was without a doubt one of the best, if not THE best middleweight tilt you will ever see.

At 1:15 of the second period, Darcy Tucker of the Leafs and Matthew Barnaby of the Penguins were headed for the Penguins goal like a pair of out of control freight trains.  Barnaby of course, trying to stop Tucker from shooting, pushed him into the net.  Tucker didn't like that at all and it didn't take any cattle prods to get this one going.  Both Tucker and Barnaby just swinging wildly.  Lots of punches thrown, lots didn't land, but the ones that did were bombs.  They must have thrown twelve to fifteen each when they grabbed on and it looked like the linesman were going to step in.  Niether of them was ready to pack it in and it started right back up again.  Tucker was at a definite disadvantage, having lost his helmet early.  That didn't stop him from giving Barnaby a couple of uppercuts and a couple of good solid jabs right into Barnaby's mush.  Of course there's always two sides to a story and this was no exception.  Barnaby gave Tucker a few good pokes too.  I have to give the decision to Barnaby on this was based on damage incurred. Tucker's right eye was a sight to behold.

F.M.’ s comment.....
If there's any truth to the old "raw steak for a black eye" theory....Tucker better go order up a side of beef.

I won't report them all because deejay had a better view of some than I did.  But the BIG ONES were BELAK (yes, Boom Boom's back and belak fan must be in heaven) v. Brunel and BELAK v. VanderMeer.  The big guy came back and established himself in style.  Brunel made the mistake of slashing Blackburn when all of Belak, Chubb and Lassu were on the ice.  Chubb and Lassu were closer and went after him right away.  Belak arrived seconds later and made it clear who would give Brunel his beating.  The others backed off and Belak methodically began pounding Brunel.  He did it in his classic form --- throwing a couple of straight lefts, and then rights, switching back and forth with ease as he pummelled Brunel.  Brunel was doing all he could to hang on.  Every time he got a grip Belak switched and pounded some more.  When the big guy got tired of throwing the overhands he switched to upper cuts.  Brunel, to his credit, tried to throw a few early, and even in the middle of this slugfest.  He eventually buried his head against Belak's chest.  Belak pounded his ears a bit and then in utter contempt literally threw Brunel to the ice like the battered dog that he was.

Vandermeer challenged BOOM BOOM late in the game.  Off came the lids, down went the gloves and the 2 began circling.  Belak got in a couple of early lefts but JV did a much better job ot tying him up.  Belak got the right loose and landed a couple of straight rights, taking a couple to do it, then with JV off balance landed a nice left inside. This was another long one, the nod clearly going to Belak who ended up landing a couple of great overhand rights, JV went down and BELAK ended up on top of him.  This was right in front of deejay and where belak fan normally is though I didn't see him.

Hope to hear from those guys.

They can tell you about Sinclair beating on Armstrong right from the opening face off, Tutschek scoring a clear victory over Kyle (the Whiner) Wanvig and Arsene and what's his name.

A real classic was after Brunel threw a couple of spears (one of which got called) and during the ensuing melee Lassu was pleading across the ice for permission to go with Brunel (now that's discipline).  McGill finally gave him the nod and the fight was on.  Unfortunately Brunel got ahold of Deck 'em Dion Lassu's jersey with his first grab and as Dion pulled away the jersey came up over his head and there it stayed. Dion swung blind after that and didn't really land any and Brunel after trying to get in a couple seemed more content to just hang on.

Anyway, if this doesn't set the tone for the playoffs I don't know what would. I have my home tickets already and will be trying to get some for the away games (there should only be 2) tomorrow.

ICEFAN's comment.....
                                   NOW THAT's HOCKEY AT ITS BEST!

F.M.’ s comment.....
What can I say that ICEFAN hasn't already said? .... I'm speechless, and that in itself is a first.

Don’t know how this one got started, but it was a beauty.  Todd Gill (Detroit) and Trent Clarke (Calgary),  in a real slobberknocker.  This one went back and forth for about a minute.  First Clarke lands a couple of right hands to Gill’s  head.  Gill manages to tie up Clarke’s right hand and land a couple of rights himself.   That was shortlived as Clarke got free and landed a beauty to Gill’s noggin, that knocked his helmet off.   No, that wasn’t the end.  Gill managed to tie Clarke up again and throw a couple of nice lefts of his own.  I don’t know if these guys are left handed, right handed or maybe they’re both ambidextrious, it was impossible to tell since they were both chuckin’ rights and lefts.  They didn’t need the zebras to step in and stop this one.  They were two tired pugilists when they skated to the sin bin for a well deserved 5 minute break.  I would hate to be the one to hold up the winner’s hand on this one.  It was a slugfest from the first punch and I’d have to say the outcome of the scrap was the same as the outcome of the game.....A tie.

F.M.’ s comment.....
 Don King and the WBF should take a look at this one....This has to be one of the best scraps since Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier went at it in the Thriller in Manila.

Mallette and Orr had been talking in between plays.  They lined up against each other against the boards in the Warriors zone, had a few more words, and dropped the mitts as soon as the puck saw the ice.  As they skate out to center ice, Mallette takes off about a pound of tape that he had on his right wrist, both guys popped the lids.  This one was an absolute slugfest, very little wrestling for position, just throwing bombs.  Mallette had the upper hand early, landing a few more quality shots than Orr.  Mallette seemed to want to use his left hand more, which is not his strongest hand.  He had his right wrist taped so obviously it wasn't 100%, but Orr took advantage because his right arm was loose the whole time.  He landed 2 huge bombs that sent Mallette's head back and forth.  But they still kept at it for while, Orr landing the more quality blows.  When the dust had settled, Mallette had a facefull of blood, but I'm not sure if it was a cut or just a bloddy nose.  Awesome fight, both guys landed alot of good hard blows, but decision goes to Colton Orr in this one.

dub's comment...
                           Best fight I've seen this year..... taking over from Mallette/Belak.

FM's comment....
Must have been a good one if you say it took over from Mallette and Belak....Oh, by the way, how was the hockey game?  Did you see any of it?

Two 1/4 sticks of dynamite went at it in Portland tonight.  Shawn Roed and Tim Smith... man... it don't take them 2 long to throw about 20 punches apiece.  The fight was fast and furious, if you blinked you missed about 3 punches on each side and I'd guess they were both landing at a 50% clip.  I'd give Roed the nod because as near as I could tell he knocked Smith down twice while Smith only decked him down once.  There was no quit in those 2 little guys. They went down and popped back up faster than most heavyweights can load one up.  In the end those 2 goon linesmen came in and tackled both the smurfs hard and ruined the whole thing, otherwise they might still both be throwin, who knows, Smith might be ahead 33 knockdowns to 28 by now.

Ferrari's comment...

FM's comment....
Sometimes it isn't the size of the package that counts....it's what's inside it.  1/4 stick of dynamite, released in the right place and the right time can do an awful lot of damage, or it can be just plain old entertaining just to watch it go off.

BOY OH BOY!  It doesn't get any better than this.  If you watched Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday Night, you saw it all.

The foreplay:...They get 2 minutes each for talking.  The refs called it unsportsmanlike conduct.  What's unsportsmanlike  about a couple of gents setting the table for a good ol' fashioned heavyweight tilt?  2 minutes doesn't mean a thing.  Jake and the Fatman couldn't have stopped this from happening.

The climax:...It's the beginning of the 3rd period.  After resting for a while in the sin bin, they step onto the ice.  Like a pair of trained seals, they head for centre ice.  AWAY THEY GO!  Corson and Domi.  Corson lands a series of rights to Domi's unprotected melon.  Domi returns the favour, only problem being...he pounds plastic for about 20 seconds.  Both combatants proceed to exchange punches. This one seemed to last an eternity until Corson finally lands a BOMB and takes Domi to the ice.
Decision...Corson...NO QUESTION!

FM's comment...
Q:  How much better does hockey get than a Toronto Maple Leaf / Montreal Canadiens match up?"
A:  A Tie Domi / Shane Corson match up in the middle of a Toronto Maple Leaf / Montreal Canadiens match up."

The only negative to the whole scenario...It should have been played at Maple Leaf Gardens or the Forum.  Air Canada Centre somehow just doesn't have the same impact.

What a beauty scrap in Cowtown last night. The Hitmen were hosting the Moose Jaw Warriors.  With 2:13 remaining in the game, Kris Mallette and Robin Gomez decided to drop their gloves and helmets and have a go. As a fight fan, nothing else on the ice gets me more excited than these type of fights. They dance around in a boxer's stance for a while and the crowd is just going nuts. The fight happened right in front of me in front of the Warrior's goal.

This is not at all a tactical fight, strictly a slugfest. Very even scrap early on with both fighters landing very hard straight rights. The turning point comes when Mallette rips Gomez's jersey off and then doesn't have much to hang on to. To my surprise, Mallette continues to hold his own and the fighters continue to pound on each other. Then it happens. Gomez lands an overhand right that turns Mallette's knees to jelly. Mallette drops like a rock and the linesmen jump in. Great fight all around.

Knopp and MacAslan also had a go in this game. Lots of holding on. Nothing more than a wrestling match.

Big Buck's comment...
Stephen Peat is finally back and played a lot. The Hitmen are a much better team with him in a uniform.

FM's comment....
You're a man after my own heart, Big Buck....Wish I could have been there!

'These two teams just don't like one another, which probably dates back to the 1995 playoffs when Regina swept Lethbridge in the opening round.  It's escalated since then and has consistently resulted in chippy affairs, if not, all-out wars.

A total of five scraps took place on Saturday night with "The Mayon Events" involving Travis Churchman on both occasions - once versus the always willing and somewhat psycho 16 year old, Derek Parker, followed by the former number one heavyweight in the Central, Eric Godard.

Round one had the older Churchman making quick work of the Lethbridge pitbull, yanking Parker around by the collar and tossing him off balance early.  Churchman landed at least one to Parker's mush, drawing blood, although that's not too hard to do with Parker's teeth in braces. You talk about optimistic parents.

Round two would also go to the "Alter Boy", Churchman, as Godard would never really get that big right hand loose.  Mind you, rumour has it that Godard's hand is very sore, as opposing faces have been beating on it all season long.  Not a lot of quality punches thrown, but give the decision to Travis on points.

FM's comment....
  Kudos to Derek Parker for taking on a much  more experienced fighter again!  And equal accolades to Churchman for taking on Parker, knowing Godard and Flodell would be looking to play the role of big brother.

You won't see a more spirited affair than this one. All the pressure on the Hitmen to continue their impressive "Road Warrior" ways and no pressure at all on the Blazers. The Blazers were supposed to be the Hitmen's next victim (Blazers weren't having any part of that) and the fans were wound tighter than the elastic waistband in a fat lady's underwear.

It didn't take long for the first fuse to burn out.  3:49 of the first, Gomez and Bone, a couple of old high school "buddies" (buddies may not be the correct terminology) decided to chuck 'em. Unfortunately, neither one chucked too many. This was more of a wrestling match.
Score this one a tie.

The rest of the first period was just "plain ol' hockey".  However, at 7:28 of the second, Munro and Pettinger got into a trash talking, facewashing, wrestling match. This one also didn't have any big bombs or haymakers landed, although Munro did leave the ice with a re-aggravated shoulder injury and some ketchup on his face.
Score this one Pettinger.

Tempers started to flare again at 13:22 of the second when Segal and Starling got into what will forever be remembered as "The Bird Fight".  This one was a beauty, especially if you were a Blazer fan. Segal landed a couple to Starling's helmet, but the big guy wasn't going to be outdone. Starling must have had his Jock on backwards, cause something was really bugging the big guy all night and Segal seemed like a good a place as any to vent some of his frustrations. After landing a few to the helmet he remembered the lesson he got from Brownie last year...."Take the helmet off first, then start swinging"...He proceeded to remove Segal's brain bucket and swat him a couple more times before going to the ice.  We don't know whether it's when Staling fights he scores or when he scores he fights. Whatever it is the Kamloops fans like it...Keep it up Chad.
Decision..Starling.

Here's the one everyone anticipated. You had to know that Bone and Gomez weren't finished. At 15:09 of the third, they went at it again.  This time "Bad to the Bone" didn't give Gomez a chance. He pounded him with his helmet on, he pounded him with his helmet off and he pounded him a couple more times on the way to the ice. This was without a doubt Jason's most decisive victory. Gomez was p**sed!  He left the ice. As he entered the tunnel between the stands he hit the tunnel wall (just a tarp) ten times harder than he hit Bone all night. No doubt about this one. Decision..Bone.

Juan's comment...
   I've been to lot's of games but this is the first Juan I've seen.

FM's comment....
  A great fight card, and the hockey game wasn't bad either.

What a battle royal in Key Arena Saturday night... Immediately after McLachlan and Parker tried to have a go (would have loved to see it but it was prevented by the linesman),  Kaczowka and Godard locked horns in what was the best fight I can recall in Key Arena this year.  It was certainly not one of those three punches and turtle affairs. Kaczowka started hot popping Godard on the chin with a couple of stiff shots, then they both released and started throwing with the off arm. (both connecting with some regularity). They got in close on each other and I found myself thinking wow.. what a great exchange then Kaczowka shook free and off we went again with both throwing wild overhands.  I think Kaczowka pulled back into control at this point but the momentum would shift again towards the end as Godard tied him up and got it a couple decent blows.  They then proceeded to hold on out of pure exhuastion and the linesmen began to get close and Kaczowka must have had a little in the tank as he tossed three more at the end with two solidly connecting off the chin.  I rate it as an clear win to Kaczowka but an awesome long brawl with big momentum swings and two guys who absolutely refused to give up even when the tank was empty... ahh...
Regards from Seattle.

Montana Mike's comment...
If only McLachlan and Parker had been able to settle the issue of the toughest 16 year old in the WHL this year.

F.M.'s comment...
The closest I've come in a long time to seeing a scrap like this was when "Roughing Minor" pulled the head off his sister's Barbie Doll.

This baby started when the puck dropped at the opening face-off, and you knew it was coming because Kaz rarely starts...and these two fellas were doing some serious jaw-bonin'. Gloves and helmets go flying, and they start circling their way to center ice. It was a furious, toe-to-toe bout consisting of multiple haymakers.
.....I called it a draw.

In the third, Kaz sucker punched Hossa and dropped him...earning a 3-game suspension. Apparently he was tired of Portland players trying to carve up Oleg Saprykan with their sticks.

F.M.'s comment...
 It's good to teammates sticking up for each other...You know they'll think twice about carving anybody up the next time these two teams meet.

Hordichuk/Sommerfeld - Sommerfeld came out and lined up next to Hordi, they talked it up a bit and dropped the gloves right off the draw. Good exchange both landing a couple of rights. Hordi starts to take over landing the majority. Near the end of the fight Sommerfeld gets Hordi's jersey in his face and lands a good one flush above the eye.
Hordi is cut, but you would have to give him the decision on # of punches landed.

Hordi/Serdachny - These two are developing a good rivalry and general dislike for one another. Good square off both grab with the left looking to throw rights. They exchange with nothing really hard being landed by either. They tie each other up at arms length, both cocking back the right. Hordi tries to come inside with an uppercut, but misses. Serdachny gets Hordi's jersey over his face(AGAIN) and lands 2 or 3 good shots to Hordi's head....Decision Serdachny.

Coulter/Hiebert - Best fight of the night. Both drop em right off the face-off and Coulter never stops throwing rights. He lands three good shots to Hiebert's face. Hiebert drops to his knees taking Coulter with him. As they fall Hiebert gets on top and lands a good one to Coulter's face, who is on his back looking up...I would give the edge to Coulter.

Forth/Orr & Manchakowski/Hornung - Not too many punches thrown in either of these. Lots of hugging and both ended up in a draw.

Shams' comment...
                                    Great game from a fight fan's point of view.

F.M.'s comment...
                                  You're making me cry tears of joy.....Excellent recap
 

It was amazing anything was accomplished in this travesty they called  a first period.  The gong show began at the 23 second mark when Kelowna  returnee, Bruce Harrison skated 100m.p.h. at Micki Dupont, plastering  him to the end boards like bug on a windshield.  The Blazers gathered  to defend their captain, setting off a wild melee of scraps.

Aulin was the first to answer the 911 call, reluctantly taking on Harrison. Gionet invited Suderman.  These were the two main events with a couple of other small sideshows taking place at the same time.  Not a lot of good solid haymakers landed in either....Harrison had Aulin at his mercy late, but kindly pulled his punch slightly as he popped Aulin to end it.  Both fights scored as a tie, but  you have to chalk one up for Aulin just for taking on Harrison who is
quite capable of taking care of himself in any scrap.  Although Aulin was first to admit he was not worthy of the title of 'instigator', asking "Why would I want to pick a fight with Harrison?"

Mike Munro (Kamloops) would go at it with Gavin Mcleod shortly after.   He tried to make a Kelowna defenceman part of the end boards. Bad  move...the whistle had already gone.  Curtis Rich then gave Munro a  close up shot of his right elbow, Gavin Mcleod came to the rescue, and here we go again.  Munro and Mcleod, again not a lot of bombs  landed....score this one a tie also.

The next fight was probably the best of the night.  Pretty short and  straight to the point. Chad Starling, who has more goals this season  than fights (and he only has two goals) took on Bruce Harrison.  After  wrestling for a while, Starling got his right hand free and landed a shot to the side of Harrison's head that not only left a pretty good welt on Harrison's cheek, but also sent a snot bubble caroming  into the third row balcony. Give the decision to Starling but give  Harrison credit he's living up to that nickname of his P.I.T.A. (Pain In the Ass).

The last fight was Jordan Walker and Kiel McLeod.  McLeod got in a few  shots but this looked more like a couple drunks trying to do the ice version of the Macarena with their laces tied together...Give the  decision to McLeod, but give Walker points for his pirouette on his way down to the ice.

F.M.'s comment...

The first fight was Boychuk vs. the Boogey man and it was very entertaining!  If I remember right it started shortly after Spokane's Lynn Loyns checked Hamhuis from behind.  As Bouck wailed upon Loyns everyone else was grabbing a partner, and I suppose the fight between Boychuk and Boogard was seeded in that fruckus someplace.  Anyway, after a couple minutes of play, the two hooked up right after a whistle and started tossin' 'em.  The start of the fight was all Boychuk.  4 or 5 heavy hits to a helmeted Boogard - with 2 or 3 hitting the mark under the faceshield - rattled his cage.  Boogard was staggered back and luckily he had his fists full of Boychuks' jersey and was able to pull it over his head before getting KO'ed.  Boychuk continued to flail away blindly, missing Boogard but he whomped the linesman on the shoulder a couple of times, and I think he thought it was Boogard becasuse when he felt that he hit someone, he continued swinging in that direction.  This was detrimental to a Boychuk's hands down victory (altho' it was very entertaining to watch him thow punches with no idea where or who the punches were landing upon...) as he pooped himself out wasting so much energy.  At the end of the fight, Boychuk was able to get his jersey back under his head, but Boogard was waiting and popped him a couple times before both linesmen were able to get them to the ground.  On the ice, Boogard I think got a couple glancing blows, but no points as they were within the cheapshot catagory with Boychuk being smothered by a linesman.  All in all the fight registered an 8 out of 10, which sadly was the best fight I have seen this year... Decision to Boychuk, based on more damaging punches.

In Boychuk vs. Eagles, I regret not seeing how the fight started.  It was at the very end of the game and by the time the skirmish caught my eye, it was halfway thru.  Again, Boychuk's jersey was pulled over his head, and again he threw punches wildly in an attempt to hit anything.  This time the punches landed no where close to scoring territory, and Eagles was throwing punches to the approximate area of Boychuk's head, but obviously no quality shots were landed by either player.  The fight was worth mention however, because after a linesman seperated Eagles, he struggled mightily against him ,and could be interpreted as ''border-line" fighting him. Altho' he didn't punch him, he twisted the linesman around and pulled him to the ice in a most rude fashion...enough misbehavior to acrew a suspension I would guess. Boychuk did the same thing with his linesman, but to a lesser degree, I don't think he would be suspended for his actions. No decision on this fight, more of a wrestling match with the refs than anything.

GCG's  comment...
There were several other fights, including good showings by Spoke Roookies Barr and Farr. I don't know who they fought because this was all going on during the Boychuk - Eagles ''bout - but I'd like to give them an Honorable Mention for stepping up and fighting very well for rookies.

F.M.'s comment...
 Excellent recap there, GCG.  Sounds to me like you should have gotten a misconduct  for being the third man in.

 Fight number one started innocently enough.  Yeah, right!  Pitbull Parker was headhunting--rather forechecking when big Scheffelmaier was in his sights.  Parker took the body.  Scheff took exception, and the gloves were off. The towering Scheffelmaier physically overwhelmed Parker at the start, but tired as the fight approached the two minute mark, and the younger Parker, who still had some gas in the tank, was able to get his arms free and throw some quality shots... Decision Scheffelmaier.

Round number two started very similiarly, with Parker attempting to make Scheffelmaier a board advertisement. Scheff gave him a look, and that was good enough for Parker.  This time though Scheffelmaier seemed a little spent and somewhat less enthusiastic.  Parker would take advantage of the old man--okay, older to a 16 year old.  It was all Parker.

F.M.'s comment...
This Parker kid is afraid of no one, enjoys fighting, and claims he's never been hurt in a fight.  Although the definition of "hurt" is somewhat of an objective thing.  He's 16 and fighting every age group but his own.  Why? Because no other 16 year old wants to.

Hordichuk & Murray - Both drop the gloves and square off after the faceoff.  Both begin firing away wildly.  Hordi lands more with Murray getting in one good left.  Murray slips, Hordi is going to let him get back up but the linseman jump in....Decision Hordichuk.

Hordichuk & Jackman - Decision Hordi on this one as well. They were yapping before the draw.  As the play starts up ice they come together and drop em. Both connect with rights, Hordi gets in another one and Jackman gets turned around and Hordi lands a couple more.  Jackman falls, but gets back up swinging.
Here is where the bulls**it happens, as Jackman gets back up swinging, the linesman grabs him from behind.  He pulls Jackman down awkwardly and hurts Jackman's hamstring !!
Jackman layed on the ice for almost five minutes.

What is this crap with the linesman jumping in and literally pulling guys down !  If I were the Pats management I would be complaining to the league about the linesman that hurt Jackman.  He had no reason to take him down from behind like that.

 Shams' comment...
 Good call by the Blades radio announcer for giving Hordichuk first star for two fights that changed the momentum of the game back in favor of the Blades.

F.M.'s comment...
Hat's off to Hordichuk for defending his #1 ranking.

The fight occurred @ 13:01 of the second period. Kaczowka was coming out of the corner and heading towards the net.  Peat got in his way.  A couple of whacks of the sticks and they were off to the races.

I couldn't believe it.  Although out-manned by about 2" and 30 lbs, Kaczowka fought Peat.  Gotta give this freak some credit.  They fought right in front of me. Kaczowka tried to catch Peat off guard and went into him with his head down so his mask would protect his face.  Nothin' doin' there.  Peat pulled him in close and ripped off Kaczowka's only defence within seconds.  Kaz's sweater did come up over his head when the helmet was ripped off. Probably a good thing, so he couldn't see what was about to happen. Peat hit him with about four straight rights and then one last fifth haymaker that sent Kaz to his ass.  Peat skated to the penalty box, holding his right arm up in the air with his index finger extended. A sign to you perhaps FM … definitely No.1 in Calgary.  Peat schooled Kaczowka last night and it was a beautiful thing to watch.

Kaczowka has earned my respect and definitely the respect of his teammates.  Even though he was schooled, his teammates were elated, all of them smacking their sticks against the boards as he picked himself off the ice and skated to the box.  He showed no fear and a lot of courage and to me … that makes a statement.  At least he fought Peat.  That's a lot more than I can say for Fritz, Ponte and Brunel. All of whom have come and gone without even a glance at Peat.

Big Buck's comment....

F.M.'s comment...
Way to go Big Buck...Keep up the good work.

Round one in Lethbridge apparantly started with Hitman, Stephen Peat smiling at the Hurricane's Eric Godard. Godard took the gesture as an invitation to dance, although didn't return the smile.  They did however start exchanging shots to the head, many of which would put the average cementhead on the canvas.  The two stood in there in there in what is described as a great heavyweight tilt.  All was fairly even, until Godard didn't really buckle the knees of Peat, but did make them noticeably pasta-like.  Decision Godard. Round two went back in Calgary, and Godard was said to be on Peat's "to do list".  Without leaving much time to pick up his dry cleaning, and fix that leaky faucet, Peat put Godard atop his priority list.  The two acknowledged each other on their first shifts and went to centre ice for the mayon event.  Peat started hard and fast with a number of uncontested shots to the side of
Godard's head. Godard would learn the hard way why it's better to give than to receive, and would get a few in late, but not before leaking some Heinz....Decision Peat.

FM comment...
"...we're going to keep Godard at number one spot, because he earned it before Peat got to the central, and Peat hasn't shown enough to take the number one spot.  He's a tough kid, but Godard's beat him once, and lost one,
so until one of these guys can start beating the other guy all the time, I don't think those two rankings will change..."

This one didn't take long to get going.   At the 18.54 mark of the first period, two unlikely combatants, Kevin Mackie (Kamloops) and Jon Barkman (Pr. George) dropped the gloves, spun the buckets and put on a dance display at center ice that even Fred Astaire would have been proud of.
Mackie, not really known as a scrapper, showed some leadership in trying to put some spark into a Blazer team that has looked anything but stellar in its last couple of outings.   He managed to land a couple of good right jabs to Barkman's melon, but remember, "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction".   Mackie found this theory to be correct as Barkman proceeded to do a little melon mashing himself.   Both players exchanged a few more punches.   Barkman, deciding it was better to give than to receive, tried unsuccessfully to remove that sh*t-eating grin from Mackie's face.   After a little slow dancing, two tired WHL seniors were separated by the zebras.
Both players headed to their respective penalty boxes for a well deserved 5 minute break.  Mackie with smile intact, and Barkman with another 5 minutes to add to his previous 13 minutes, giving him a whopping 18 minutes in 31 games.
Give a slight edge to Barkman and stay tuned for the rematch January 28th in P.G.

FM comment...

 A mere 6 seconds had elapsed after the opening face off before Hay &  Dupont decided to "chuck the knucks". Both these guys had a statement  to make.  Dupont, possibly miffed at the fact that he wasn't chosen to try out for the world juniors, and Hay trying to tell Dupont the reason why he was chosen, both had the same idea.  Let's not settle  this amicably, let's do it hockey style.
 This was without a doubt one of the best featherweight contests you're ever gonna see.  Both guys just a chuckin' em.  Dupont, definitely  favoring the southpaw style he possesses,  peppered Hay. Hay, with teeth clenched and brow furrowed,  looked as though he was avenging the death of a family member, and landed a series of "HAY"makers himself.  After Hay thought he had it all figured out, by tying up Dupont's  left, the the ever cagey Dupont got his right hand free and proceeded to land a couple of "Dupont Spinners" to Hay's cabbage.  Of course Hay took no time in giving Dupont a couple of stocking stuffers himself.
 All in all, it was  "A thing of beauty",  two guys who's total weight,  soaking wet, is barely that of a "Denny's full meal deal", just a  givin' er.  Dupont did offer up a little ketchup from a small cut about his left eye, likely caused by his helmet or visor.  Dupont takes the decision on points for punches landed, strength and balance.  Give Hay credit for what appeared to be a totally premeditated act, and wanting to set the tone, captain to captain. Ya' had to be there.

FM comment...
     If that's what it takes to see a couple of guys go at it like that, let me pick the next "World junior" team.

 Eric Lindros fought Alexander Karpovstev, (yes Karpovstev) in which Lindros destroyed the Russian.  I give the Russian credit for standing up for himself.
After that scrap, Quinn put on Domi, who then skated over to the Flyers bench and challenged the team. Then at the face-off draw Domi was lined up with Berube. After the puck was dropped Berube punched Domi in the back of the head.  Still Domi didn't fight.  After taunting Domi a while, Domi had had enough and went after Berube, but then Sandy McCarthy went after Domi too.  So here's Domi, deciding whether he wants to take on Berube or McCarthy, they both had there gloves off chasing Domi.  Domi could not decide who to take on but eventually decided to take on McCarthy and Berube grabbed Mike Johnson, and gave Johnson a good pummeling.  Well, Domi forgot all about McCarthy and jumped in to help out the uneven matchup between Berube and Johnson.  Then Richardson jumped in and started hitting Domi from behind.  Meanwhile the two goalies were going at it .
McCarthy, I believe was pummeling Kristish and I think it was Adam Burt and Dimitri Yushkevich going at it (I'm not sure, I was watching Domi).  Richardson also pummeled Tomas Kaberle.  After everyone got separated Domi tried to go after the Flyer goalie but couldn't get to him because of the refs.
And that's about it.  I can't wait to see the rematch.  After all that, Domi gave the referee a pat on the back for an excellent job at sorting everything out (It was kinda funny)

The Fighting Major's comment:

Also, Kudos to Philly coach Roger Nielson, who, at the start of the game, had tears in his eyes due to an emotional ovation from the Toronto faithfull, then later sent out the dogs, Berube, Richardson and McCarthy to start a line brawl. That got the Fighting Major a little watery-eyed as well.

For most of the first period, Habscheid matched up Fritz with MacIntyre, but they lined up on opposite sides of the circle. However in the second, MacIntyre would line-up next to Fritz, and gave him a good hack at the drop of the puck.  Both would drop the gloves, pop the helmets and get at 'er.  MacIntyre would lead with a left, then drop the hand to grab Fritz' jersey.  Fritz would take hold with his left hand, and began to exchange rights with big Mac. like Rocky working the beef in Frankie's slaughterhouse, the sound of fists on flesh could be heard throughout
Skyreach Place--both landing solid blows, and neither waving the white flag.  40 seconds of tenderizing would end with Fritz on the ice, jersey over head, and potentially in some trouble if it were not for the linesmen doing their best "jaws of life" imitation.

The Fighting Major's comment:

"I have not seen a fight like that in five years!  I've seen great fights  where one guy gets his lunch fed to him, but not one like this where two guys stand back and chuck 'em to a draw. This was a good old fashioned slobberknocker !"

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