The end of the regular season is near. As we prepare to look back and reflect on all of the fights which took place this year, we watch as teams battle for their playoff lives and others battle simply to stay somewhat relevant as they drift along in the basement of the NHL.
This means fights. Lots of ’em. Most have picked up in terms of overall quality now that time is of the essence. You’ll find that the five fights in this week’s installment are a strong, solid group.
5. Zenon Konopka (BUF) vs Luke Gazdic (EDM) – Mar 20
Surprise, surprise. Gazdic once again shows up in our list. Once again, he dispatches his opponent (Konopka) and adds even more to the argument that he’s the best fighter of 2013-14.
4. Gregory Campbell (BOS) vs Cody McLeod (COL) – Mar 21
Campbell and McLeod have a little bit of a history. The two danced in 2010 and once again in 2011. Here they renew their rivalry and this time Campbell narrowly comes out on top. McLeod isn’t exactly a big loser, but he’s absorbing plenty of blows by the time this one is broken up.
3. Rich Clune (NSH) vs Sheldon Brookbank (CHI) – Mar 23
Talk about an angry, angry fight. Clune and Brookbank are throwing bombs and look intent on making their opponent suffer as much as possible. You could give Clune the victory, but it’s easier to label this fight as a brutal draw.
2. Milan Lucic (BOS) vs Ryane Clowe (NJ) – Mar 18
This bout starts slow, but stick with it. Lucic and Clowe ignore defense and instead decide to play offense with both fists. An average fight becomes an epic fight when both men decide to totally ignore their personal health and instead are more focused on imitating Rockem Sockem Robots.
1. Bryan Bickell (CHI) vs Wayne Simmonds (PHI) – Mar 18
Give some credit to the officials in this one. They easily could have broken this one up when Bickell and Simmonds crashed into the boards, but instead they waited and let it play out. We’re all lucky they did as Bickell catches Simmonds with plenty of rights and one powerful left.
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.