It all got started near the end of a matchup between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. With less than a minute remaining, Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro left his net to clothesline Pittsburgh forward Matt Cooke. As skaters from both sides entered the ensuing melee in the corner, Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson made his way down the ice to avenge DiPietro's cheapshot of Cooke. To everyone's surprise, the goaltender duel was much more than a hugfest. Johnson unleashed a powerful left handed blow that caught DiPietro's cheek, fracturing the orbital bone in the injury-prone New York goaltender. It was DiPietro's second NHL fight, and judging by the outcome, probably his last.
One week later, tensions boiled in a Northeast Division game. Original Six Rivals Boston and Montreal combined for an NHL record 192 penalty minutes. At one point, there were six Bruins in the penalty box. Midway through the second period, goalies Tim Thomas and Carey Price squared off in what quickly became the center of attention in a line brawl.
Nine days after the DiPietro-Johnson bout, the Islanders and Penguins met again. In a series of nauseating actions, another major fight broke out between every player on the ice. This time the goalies stayed out of it, or so it appeared. After tangling with Max Talbot, New York forward Michael Haley skated to the opposite end of the ice to instigate a fight with Johnson. Pittsburgh forward Eric Godard left the bench to intervene in the duel, which attracted the attention of several other players.
So after a three year long drought, goalies around the NHL are scrapping again. It certainly has given the league added attention, but a return the lawless days of old time hockey is something commissioner Gary Bettman wants to avoid. Look for strict punishments coming for any infraction in the coming weeks as the league attempts to calm the players.
No comments:
Post a Comment