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I guess they were right, Saturday night is alright for fighting, or at least it could be.
At least that’s what fans and players of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens are saying on the eve of the renewal of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries. Toronto and Montreal has long been a classic, and no matter where they are in the standings, both teams usually seem to play with an edge, something that certainly won’t be missing tomorrow night. Of course, running alongside this storied rivalry tomorrow night, will be a sub plot, call it the undercard, if you will.
Sergei “The Killer” Kostitsyn versus Mikhail “The Grappler” Grabovksi. Not only will it be a great contest, the Belarussian light-heavyweight belt is also on the line.
All kidding aside, the rivalry between the fellow countrymen and former teammates and friends has injected some life into the rivalry. And while I am still very much a fence sitter on whether or not fighting has a place in hockey, I will heed a word of advice to tomorrow’s officials and linesman.
Let the kids go.
I mean, really. We have had a few games between the two teams this season, all of them having emotions between the two boil over at some point. However, when the two light weights finally decide to tangle, they are broken up by linesman. Whether during play or a stoppage tomorrow night, let the two of them go to centre ice, drop the gloves and let ‘em fly.
Tell me there isn’t one person who wouldn’t want to see it. I know there teammates do.
While Georges Laraque and Ryan O’Byrne mused as to what the fight would actually look like, the Maple Leafs elected to be a little quieter. There is no doubt however, that the GM of the Leafs, Brian Burke, will be watching closely to see how the situation pans out, but also how his team-which has been lackluster at times in the physicality department-will respond.
Notes: Staffan Kronwall, placed on re-entry waivers by the Leafs yesterday, was claimed today by the Washington Capitals. Kronwall had been turning heads in the AHL with the Marlies, and will now get his chance to crack the lineup of a very good team. While some will be upset to lose the Swedish blueliner for nothing in return, the Leafs felt they couldn’t make a deal, and also felt he was expendable with the likes of Schenn, Finger, and Frogren already on the team in shutdown roles.
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Leafs-Habs: New Faces, Same Hatred
Phil Kessel: Toronto Maple Leaf Must Show His Worth Again
Toronto Maple Leafs Upset Montreal Canadiens–And Their Fans
Quotes And Notes: One-Timer Thoughts As Leafs Prepare To Battle Jackets
Montreal Canadiens Push To The Playoffs Comes Down To a Few Precious Games
Are the Habs contenders at the break?
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