The NHL regular season is winding down in a hurry. Several teams have all but officially punched their ticket, but for the most part the playoff race is a heated one with numerous competitors. You’d think such an atmosphere would cause tempers to boil over now that points are so valuable. Unfortunately, that isn’t exactly the case. Most players have kept their cool, realizing just how costly a foolish instigator penalty could be for their club.
As more teams fall off the pace, look for these weekly installments to heat up. For now, enjoy a solid, yet not spectacular edition of Hockey Fights of the Week.
5. Sheldon Brookbank (CHI) vs Cody McLeod (COL) – Mar 12
The Colorado Avalanche are making a strong push in the Western Conference and they’re out to prove they’re not intimidated by teams who have traditionally been at the top of the pack over the last few years. Here McLeod and Brookbank drop the mitts in a fight which saw lots of punches, but no clear winner.
4. John Scott (BUF) vs Matt Carkner (NYI) – Mar 15
We’ve said it several times before: John Scott has one job in the NHL and that’s to win fights. When he isn’t winning fights…well, you have to question why he’s in the lineup in the first place. Scott tangles with Carkner in a battle where neither skater appears to have very much energy. This fight is pretty much a draw, but let’s give Carkner the win simply because Scott really looks uninterested in this one.
3. Bryan Allen (ANA) vs Brian McGrattan (CGY) – Mar 12
It’s always fun watching McGrattan fight. It’s also really, really scary watching him fight. You know if he’s on this list that he’s either beating someone to a pulp or involved in a big heavyweight brawl. Here he disposes of Allen with a few direct, calculated punches to the head. As always, we’re thankful we’re not on the receiving end of those blows.
2. Tom Sestito (VAN) vs Anthony Peluso (WIN) – Mar 12
Great fight between Sestito and Peluso. You could give Peluso the win because he’s the last man standing, but it’d be unfair to label this fight as anything but a draw.
1. Tom Sestito (VAN) vs Krys Barch (FLA) – Mar 16
Sestito makes a second appearance on this week’s list and this time he leaves a better impression. Barch goes for the big finish with an uppercut, but Sestito maintains a balanced, consistent approach which ends up him as the narrow victor.
Previous installments:
Olympic Break
The 15 best hockey fights from 2012-13.
A big “Thank you” to Hockey Fights, our #1 resource for hockey fight videos.