I know that the “fighting in hockey” debate is one that has been explored over and over again.  Before I continue, I’d like to say that I don’t mind the fighting, and I know it has a place in the sport.  I don’t like boxing; because that is a sport where two men get paid to beat each other until one of them passes out.  Fighting in Hockey is like fighting in life.  It only happens because of provocation or retaliation and is generally warranted.

With that said, Monday’s game was just a tad too much.  We knew there would be fighting, we knew there’d be chaos.  It was the first time the two rivals met, and the first Simon and his dance partner from last season had time to catch up.  We didn’t expect DiPietro to skate to the other end of the ice and pummel Montoya.*** Correction:  To have Montoya skate to Rick... Just to get pummeled. (Thanks Jeff.)   Grant it, I’m not condemning him for it.  He felt he needed to do it, and he did.  He was applauded for his efforts by the audience.  But if there are already 2 men in the box, is it really necessary to try to squeeze three more in there too?  How long can you spend on the penalty kill?  Let’s cut the crap and drop the gloves when it’s really necessary.  ESPECIALLY when you’re playing the Rangers.  A little self control can go a long way.

Next observation:  Where the hell was everybody?  You know for all the obnoxious Ranger fans who tell us that the barn only sells out when the Rangers play there; I’d like them to know they missed out on a really good game and some excellent tickets.  But I really didn’t miss ya!  Of course IQ and I managed to get ourselves in the middle of a verbal altercation with a loud and ranting Ranger fan three rows up from the bench.  When he started spouting off to Ted, that’s when we could take no more, stood directly in front of him and started shouting back.  Within minutes, security was there to escort him out.  I told them it wasn’t necessary.  IQ and I could have taken him easily.

The new jerseys look good, but the slim cut makes everyone look like they’re in a video game.  Sutton is a mountain while Comrie is dwarflike even when there’s no one to compare him to, but he sure can play.

Glad they pulled a rabbit out of a hat along with that 5-4 win; even though this isn’t the line up we’ll be seeing on a regular basis.  And IQ and I spent a lot of time saying “Who? Who? Who?”  Like two damn owls.  Glad I went, unhappy with the price increase of beverages and not being able to say hello to everyone I wanted to see.  I may not have been able to see the President of Slovakia or Hillary Duff, but I did get to see my blue-eyed Irish Prince.  So I went home happy.