I would like to wish a Merry Christmas to all of my fellow Gabbers and their families.  That’s right…Merry Christmas.  It’s only a matter of time before we can’t even say that anymore without offending anyone, but fuck it. 

Sorry for the post last week, I ran into some technical difficulties and as a result, I am going back to my previous habit of creating the entry on Word before importing it over to the site.  This week, I am going to be looking back at the year in hockey that was, and I will be highlighting what I thought were the top fights of 2011.  We all know that there were a lot to choose from, and hopefully I don’t disappoint.  And yes, we are pretty much guaranteed an appearance or two from Cam Janssen and Brian McGrattan.

Number 10.

Jared Boll vs Brian McGrattan.

Number 9.

Matt Martin vs Zack Kassian

Number 8.

Tidball vs Theriault from the LNAH

and what does Theriault do after this fight?  Simple…plays air band in the penalty box, complete with tuning his stick/guitar.

That is just great entertainment.  But not the best bit of entertainment to come out of the LNAH…check the end for that little tidbit.

Number 7.

Cam Janssen vs Krys Barch

Number 6.

Cam Janssen vs Michael Haley

Number 5.

Mason Geertsen vs Andy Blanke.  Why does this one make the list?  Easy answer…Geertsen (in white) is a 16 year old in the WHL and Blanke is a 19 year old.  Enough said.

Number 4.

Brian McGrattan vs Cam Janssen.  Janssen has always been a strong finisher, and he shows us that in this tilt.

Number 3.

Krys Barch vs Cam Janssen

Number 2.

Steve MacIntyre vs Eric Neilson

And your number 1 fight of 2011...

Number 1.

Brett Gallant vs Joel Rechlicz

There you go Gabbers.  Hopefully you all agree, and if not, let me know.  We all know that there are an assload of fights from all of hockey to go through.  And quite frankly, it would have been rather simple to make this a top ten with only Cam Janssen or Brian McGrattan.  The more I watch Janssen fight, the more I respect the way he does his job.  McGratton is a feel good story in itself.  After battling substance problems and entering the NHL treatment program, he is back in the NHL and doing his job very well.

Earlier I mentioned the greatest piece of entertainment to come out of the LNAH.  Well, here you go.  During a pre-game skate in 2005, Derek Parker and Jon Mirasty get into a good tilt at around the 1:30 mark.  And what does Parker do after the fight?  At the 3:00 minute mark, you can see Parker on the left hand side of the screen.  I was hoping Mirasty and Parker would see who could do that better.

Now, I am wrap up my final entry of the year with some of the NHL Ice Girls doing what they do best.  Looking good.

Merry Christmas to everyone and your families.  Enjoy the break and I'll see you in another week.

Hotchnuts