Ringside with the Boston Bruins: Classic Hockey Fights

[terryk45]

KICK HIS ASS SEABASS!!!!

[gtrefghuk]

Jonathan, Cashman, O'Reilly, Neely, Byers, Miller. Never a dull moment with these guys on your team.

[cclub002000]

stan jonathan ...... toughest player ever in the NHL . when he dropped the gloves he was out to hurt you and boy did he ever

[MrMagnificents]

Great video!! I kept looking for any video of when they climbed over the glass and went into the stands for a few years.Just to make sure I didn't imagine seeing that when I was younger.Glad to see I was sane at least at that moment in time.

[BostonSportsThenNow]

Kick ass song and kick ass vid!

[bandhih]

I'm a bruin fan and this video is awesome

[ThePENNY1999]

holy crap bruins!!!!!! hahahahah

[clayton998]

1:04 REF PUNCHED IN FACE

[GoCeltics734]

@AlexandriaDaniels

hell yeah!

The Bruins may not always win, but they will never be pushed around.

"If Godzilla played hockey, he'd be a Bruin"

[KarmicOmen]

Did you ever look at Clark Gillies and think "Deliverance"?

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Haha, yeah now that you mention it!

[MoonbatsAreDingbats]

Future Habs fan watch?v=6c91VGy2nNw

[85highlander]

wow -- this brought back some great memories!!! -- love your videos!!

[KarmicOmen]

Stan Jonathan stood 5' 8" and weighed 175 pounds ... he proved many times over that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Pound for pound, Stan did some serious pounding.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Stan Jonathan was very tough -- stocky and powerful, like a pit bull. Watching a fight between Stan and a player that stood over 6 feet tall, Stan's endurance and strength were astonishing.

In one fight in particular, an opposing player was holding back O'Reilly to prevent him from jumping in. Offering no resistance, Terry (and the player blocking him) appeared less interested in getting involved than watching the damage that Stan was doing on a man that towered over him.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Johnny McKenzie was tough for his size too

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Very funny, congrats. Having faith helps I see.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Ok I saw it, my bad.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

If you didn't look it up already, the original five teams in 1917 were Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas. In 1918, these five teams were reduced to three for a short time due to a fire wiping out Montreal Wanderers' arena, forcing them to withdraw, and Quebec franchise being sold to Toronto.

The team that had the artificial ice was Toronto Arenas (became Toronto St. Patricks; are now Toronto Maple Leafs).

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Stop reading, you make the rest of us look bad. Well me anyway.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

In 1917 there were 5 teams (reduced to 3) vs. the 6 we've come to know today.

Trivia: One team had artificial ice. Who were they?

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Red Wings logo is one of my favorites. Hockey has a dog and a bear, duck and penguin but no eagles. Or I'm wrong and they do have eagles, but I don't think so.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

I don't think NHL has "Eagles". There is no longer or never was an NHL team in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Maryland. Alaska/Hawaii: No pro-ball or hockey (may not be practical).

Perhaps in the future, so let's start naming them now ;o)

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Something like that.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

The funniest comment I read on NHL logos was about Toronto Maple Leafs: "Leaves change colors -- they are fun to jump on, but they wither and die."

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Haha, I like that one.

[BranniganE8]

You're from Boston, have you ever seen a Bruin where you live?

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Have I ever seen a Bruin here? Only at a zoo; they don't let them roam free ;o) No, seriously, I know you meant "met". I don't live in Boston proper but 35 miles NW -- did work in Boston's Back Bay area at one time. Traffic is insane -- unless absolutely necessary, I avoid the city.

No, I have never met a Bruins player; former or current. Chances of running into one of them are slim to none. Besides, I don't give it much thought; nor would I go out of my way to make it a point.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Of all the Bruins I love the most, Derek Sanderson's courage, perseverance, overcoming tremendous personal odds, and battling some very powerful demons ... while it by no means diminishes my respect for the others, for me it places Derek on an entirely different level.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Hold that thought: I just heard the words, "Matt Bradley just obliterated Matt Cooke" so I am out of here ;o)

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Which video was that? There were a few instances in which I went after someone over Derek Sanderson, and I remember the context of what I said -- just not where I said it. Do you remember?

Regarding watching other teams, I've come a long way in being less close-minded. There is a game on right now (Pens and Caps) that I'm semi-watching, half listening to. I like Alex Ovechkin, but Matt Cooke is a scumbag. Seeing a jackass like Cooke wearing the number 24 ... he's not worthy.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Capitals v Penguins makes for intense gameplay, they hate each other. I like Washington but we just traded a guy to Pittsburgh. Ovie's great, he's number 8 like Cam. I hate Cooke too but he only wears 24, he's no O'Reilly. The video with your rant on Sanderson, you sent me it a while back. You were seeing red. I cleaned up inbox out so it's gone. I don't remember exactly which one but I think it was on a Neely video that you said it.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Last night's Pens vs. Caps game was very intense. Ovechkin scored the only goal -- sliding across ice on his knees, he almost scored a second.

The action was very fast paced ... every few seconds you heard the sound of bodies hitting the boards, and there was a lot of body contact, pushing, shoving, piles-ups, knockdowns, many punches thrown (one good shot to the face wasn't even called -- surprising nowadays), and Matt Bradley had a fight win. Wow, what a great game.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Others elsewhere saw it as odd that we celebrated Ray Bourque's Stanley Cup win with Colorado. Boston fans saw it very differently. We were sad (not mad) when Ray left Boston, but we understood. Ray busted his back for 20 years as a Bruin; he deserved to win.

When Ray won we were so proud of him! We wanted to share in an accomplishment he worked so hard for. We'd never, ever turn our backs on him -- we love him.

Ray returned home afterward -- this is where where he belongs.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

While I respect other great hockey players -- past and present, I've never watched other teams beyond highlights on local sports channel. During Gretzky's heyday, I never watched his team play a single game.

When it comes to the Bruins, I'm fiercely loyal ... ups and downs, high and lows, good or bad, win or lose.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

First 2 periods were a fight to stay awake ... for both teams it seemed and for me. OTT scored first goal, no action for a while so I channel surfed (John Wayne, True Grit was on -- right up your alley). By the time I got back we were up 2/1. We scored 2 goals in 32 secs -- then OTT scored again, but we won 4/2.

Kelly and Kaberle (welcome "home" boys) -- great vision, handling and defense. Kelly is definitely a Bruin now ... he earned himself 2 minutes for tripping a Senator ;o)

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen John Wayne was the man. Wait you were watching the duke? No way.

[BranniganE8]

@AlexandriaDaniels Where I come from we call that a double barrel salute.

[KarmicOmen]

@AlexandriaDaniels

┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Right?

[KarmicOmen]

@AlexandriaDaniels

Orr and O'Reilly had notorious tempers on ice -- Orr more-so than O'Reilly, I think.

With Taz, there seemed to be a few seconds between the time he reacted and hit -- a few seconds to brace for it, or perhaps opt out depending on the situation and how much it escalated beforehand.

With Bobby, there didn't seem to be as much of warning. Sometimes a player never knew how far they pushed him until he snapped. Orr was a charging bull and tackled like a linebacker.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen From what I've seen of those two that sounds about right. Signs Orr was due to explode were there but maybe not noticed or ignored until it was too late. It's that Irish temper, I'm 100% and know it well. Neely had a real bad temper. If I had to pick a few league favorites Cam's one of them, tough but not arrogant. Rumor always has it that Bruins seek out wreckers and steamrollers to sign.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

One of your NHL favorites is our Great Number 8? Cool! Actually, it's "President (of Boston Bruins) Cam Neely" now and yes, he's a good man.

We've had problem players over the years, but overall our team has consisted of good people. Of course most fans of other teams see every Bruin as trouble with a bad attitude. Hey, what bear isn't, though?

As to whether Bruins scout only tough guys: I'm inclined to say no. Many guys can and do get physical, but it's not a prerequisite.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen O'Reilly was a big boy, he could handle himself. We saw that enough to know. Be glad it didn't happen but yeah I hear ya. It's a double standard thing and I suppose it's possible a ref would be off the hook until film was viewed closely. You my darling are one critical thinker, and such a cynic. But that's ok I love that about you, it's a good trait.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Bobby Orr thing in this was funny. In clip you linked O'Reilly nailed a ref, you get screwed big time for that.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

About the clip I linked of Terry O'Reilly hitting a linesman (Van Hellemond): Terry actually stopped and thought about it for a second before he did it ... made worse by the fact that Terry hit a woman ;o)

Players do get in big trouble for hitting an official, and Taz was subsequently suspended for a number of games (uncertain how many).

As to whether or not I agree with a player hitting an official ... that's kind of a gray area -- with a big "depends on why" factor.

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen When I coach little league and there's usually a few dads I'd like to knock out. Is the depends why factor for you based on if it's a Bruin, no matter what the reason?

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen Hit a woman, oh my god you're hilarious.

[atlantajohn22]

One of my favorite hockey moments: John Weinsink calling out the entire Minnesota North Star bench (1:42) . Nobody accepted his challenge.

[KarmicOmen]

@atlantajohn22

What a set of brass ones on John Wensink, eh?That part is one of my favorites also, which is why I set it up a certain way in this video.

Minnesota accepted John's challenge -- not right then and there but later on. They and the entire Bruins bench got into a 1st period brawl on our ice, resulting in 12 ejections and 84 penalties totaling 392 penalty minutes -- see video link below.

26 February 1981: Minnesota North Stars - Boston Bruins Brawl

watch?v=Q8BW8jHNQlY 

[KarmicOmen]

@atlantajohn22

Not sure which is more laughable: Minnesota sitting there looking dumbfounded at John Wensink as he challenged their entire bench, or the 1979 Rangers vs. Bruins brawl when B's took to the stands at MSG as Rangers players just stood on the ice watching it all unfold.

[5inthehole]

@KarmicOmen You got that right. Some of the changes he's made is the reason your seeing players like Marc Savard out with concussions. If player tried that crap in the past, half the bruins players would be on the ice looking to pound the face of players like Cooke, Ott,, Avery ect ect.

[BranniganE8]

Oh and fantastic description you wrote here, it reads like an editorial. Very impressive, very well written. Completely true too! They'd have to ban more than hockey and boxing these days if fights are nixed. Loosen up or lose out!

[BranniganE8]

O'Reilly-Gillies fight, ref must be saying 'do it and you're gone' and they're both like 'yeah so what?' Nilan ass kicking by O'Reilly must be the best part this video for you. What was Nilan thinking, the damn fool!

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Of all Taz fight clips, that one ranks very high on my list of favorites. Gee, how did you guess? My antipathy toward Chris Nilan can't be that obvious ;o)

Neither Nilan or Samuelsson have any redeeming qualities. What Samuelsson did to Neely is beyond despicable ... what a lowbrow piece of garbage, and I'm being generous! What baffles many to this day is why Nilan was ever signed as a Bruin.

Put a hockey jersey on a pig and it's still a pig.

[5inthehole]

Makes you feel good (and spoiled) to be a fan of The Boston Bruins.

[KarmicOmen]

@5inthehole

For decades players went into games without helmets, yet by all accounts there were far less head injuries then than nowadays. Old time hockey fighting was nastier too -- more brutal than any barroom brawl. The game overall, I think was much tougher back then.

Maybe players back then carried themselves with a more honorable code of conduct vs. today's hoods slamming a guy from behind into the boards, blindsiding him with a strategically placed elbow, or force-feeding him lumber.

[KarmicOmen]

@AlexandriaDaniels

Ray could fight, but he didn't do so very often. Cam could hold off his temper, but not for very long. Cam was not just an enforcer, but also one of the best players in the NHL.

If a guy on the ice wants fight, he is going to antagonize someone that will react more easily -- not wait for a more tolerant Ray to finally lose his patience. Ray let a lot slide, but more so than that I think opposing players genuinely liked Ray; therefore, they didn't want to start with him.

[KarmicOmen]

Actually, I should clarify: It's not always true that players start with those who are most likely to respond in kind. Enforcers and goons are different; yet erroneously categorized as one and the same.

Goons pester and goad -- sometimes physically, mostly verbally or tactically to get under players' skin, while an enforcer goes after goons to protect his team. The worst type of goon is a bully that beats up on smaller players or those known to avoid fights . Bullies are cowards.

[KarmicOmen]

@AlexandriaDaniels

One more thing -- then I will let it go: Terry O'Reilly was intense ... he worked hard, he practiced hard, he played hard, and he fought hard. Also, Terry was always striving to improve his skills.

What Terry never needed to improve upon; however, was the tremendous amount heart and soul that he not only brought to the game of hockey, but that he poured into every shift he played. He is a legend here in Boston -- much loved and greatly respected.

[KarmicOmen]

@AlexandriaDaniels

Terry O'Reilly is not crazy. Going over the glass at MSG, he was furious! A Rangers fan stole Stan Jonathan's stick and hit him with it. Terry went after the assailant, and Bruins protect their own so they followed their leader. Terry was one of the finest leaders the Bruins have ever had!

Where was Rangers’ leadership? The entire clip shows them standing idly by, observing from their home ice, doing nothing. That would never happen in Boston; or anywhere for that matter.

[BranniganE8]

Bruins still have a reputation today in the NHL for being very tough. Hate to say it but my home team isn't nearly as exciting or physical.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Bruins have their tough guys today, but nothing like O'Reilly, Cashman, Miller, Jonathan, Orr, Sanderson, Neely or Byers. Those guys were hellions, who wouldn't think twice about dropping opponents foolish enough to push the wrong button for too long.

Opponents who tried to prove themselves tougher oftentimes found themselves in over their heads; caught up in a whirlwind of iron-knuckled fury -- looking like poster children for stupidity reigning supreme ;o)

[BranniganE8]

@KarmicOmen

Poster children for stupidity reigning supreme! Wow, nice one! Very funny! You do have a way with words. Bet you get told that a lot. Just remind me never to piss you off, j/k.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Leaders in penalty minutes since hockey's inception ... teams with most fighters: Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal and New York (Rangers). Early players racked up only 50 - 60 PIM a season ... too cold; they played outdoors. When indoor rinks came along, PIM skyrocketed. Toronto's Dave "Tiger" Williams has most ever with 3966 PIM out of 962 GP.

Historically, Boston was rarely in 1st place in PIM season totals -- but 2nd a lot when Ted Green played.

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

Out of habit, I always associate Dave Williams with Toronto, but Hartford Whalers was the last team he played with (now NC Hurricanes, as of 1997)

Top five PIM totals are Dave Williams, Dale Hunter, Tie Domi, Marty McSorely, and the late Bob Probert (one tough SOB, beaten by Jay "Killer" Miller more than once). Jay is a nice guy -- a local Boston boy.

Terry O'Reilly at 2,095 PIM is not listed as high as I assumed he would be; nor is LB -- that wild child ;o)

[KarmicOmen]

@BranniganE8

We have 22 Thornton and 17 Lucic ... or 24 O'Reilly and 8 Neely revisited.

[BranniganE8]

AWESOME video and one badass, kick ass team. They didn't take shit from anyone. 24 O'Reilly part is the best. Oh man what a mean left, just wails the hell out of them. 34 Byers and 8 Neely were animals. Cool song you picked, fits perfectly. Great editing job.