The 2014-15 season may be remembered as the season in which the sport of hockey pushed away from fighting. Players are still dropping the mitts, but they are doing so at a greatly reduced rate. Last season we typically were reviewing 20-30 fights each week and now we’re lucky if we have 15 or more. While disappointing, we’re lucky to still be treated to a few outstanding scraps each week.
5. Derek Dorsett (VAN) vs Chris Neil (OTT) – Dec. 7th
We already covered this fight, but it’s worth seeing again simply for the bizarre scene after the officials break things up. Dorsett wasn’t happy after Neil landed a late punch and then tried to pump up the crowd.
4. Dalton Prout (CBJ) vs Shawn Thornton (FLA) – Dec. 4th
This fight was probably about as entertaining as it could be considering both men looked like they were swimming in their sweaters and equipment. We’ll go ahead and call this one a draw, but Thornton seemed to land a few more punches.
3. Nate Thompson (ANA) vs Keith Ballard (MIN) – Dec. 5th
Ballard isn’t a pushover, but Thompson completely overwhelms him in this one. Ballard appears content to lean as far away as possible as Thompson drops bomb after bomb.
2. Zemgus Girgensons (BUF) vs Cedric Paquette (TB) – Dec. 4th
There’s a lot going on during this altercation which may take away from its overall rating, but this is a great fight between one of the best names in hockey (Girgensons) and Paquette. We have no problem with the game removing all of the staged fighting, but this is a perfect example of the bouts we love.
1. Luke Gazdic (EDM) vs Anthony Peluso (WIN) – Dec. 3rd
The Gazdic-Peluso feud continues. The fight above is the fourth time the two men have battled over the last six years. They’ve tangled in 2008, 2010, 2012 and now 2014. By our count, we should expect a rematch in 2016. Stay tuned.
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