Alumni in the Pros, January 2009

ftyuv · January 21, 2009, 09:46:58 PM

The announcers on Vs. keep calling Bitz "Ritz."

oceanst41 · January 22, 2009, 01:32:41 PM

I'd say Bitz had his best game since his debut last night vs. the Leafs. He was strong on the boards, had a nice cycling shift that that led to a long possession and a goal for the next line, and nearly scored his first NHL goal (Toskela robbed him with a two pad stack). He played 11:46 too, which is his highest game total. Julien is big on rewarding good play with ice time, and his last three games have each increased in time on ice.

Ronald '09 · January 26, 2009, 01:26:50 PM

Habs recall O'Byrne.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=406310

Josh '99 · January 26, 2009, 03:02:19 PM

Ryan Vesce had a good showing on his home ice in Worcester in last night's AHL All-Star Game Skills Competition; Mike Iggulden not so much. Vesce won his heat against Worcester teammate Derek Joslin in the Puck Control Relay, hit four targets in five tries in the Accuracy Shooting competition, and scored against Mike Brodeur in the Breakaway Relay. Iggulden was denied by Minnesota alum Jeff Frazee in the Pass and Score competition and again by Daniel Larsson in the Breakaway Relay. (Corporate sponsors in event names intentionally omitted.) Vesce's PlanetUSA team beat Iggulden's Canada 18-12 in the Skills Competition; the All-Star Game itself will be played tonight.

Chris '03 · January 26, 2009, 03:06:56 PM

[quote Josh '99]Ryan Vesce had a good showing on his home ice in Worcester in last night's AHL All-Star Game Skills Competition; Mike Iggulden not so much. Vesce won his heat against Worcester teammate Derek Joslin in the Puck Control Relay, hit four targets in five tries in the Accuracy Shooting competition, and scored against Mike Brodeur in the Breakaway Relay. Iggulden was denied by Minnesota alum Jeff Frazee in the Pass and Score competition and again by Daniel Larsson in the Breakaway Relay. (Corporate sponsors in event names intentionally omitted.) Vesce's PlanetUSA team beat Iggulden's Canada 18-12 in the Skills Competition; the All-Star Game itself will be played tonight.[/quote]

Remind me again why the AHL and NHL all star festivities compete with each other.

Josh '99 · January 26, 2009, 03:44:03 PM

[quote Chris '03]Remind me again why the AHL and NHL all star festivities compete with each other.[/quote]Because both leagues are run by idiots.

abmarks · January 27, 2009, 11:00:25 PM

Bitz has some stones.

Threw down the gloves and squared off with Donald *stick to the head* Brashear in the B's OT win over Washington tonight.

He looked good for the first minute of the fight while they wwere just eyin geach other with knuckles up and air- sparring. Once the jerseys got ggrabbed Brashear's experoence showed clearly...before he eventualy flattened Bitz with a left.

At least Bitz got in 2 to the back of the head if I remember right. Definitely fired up the squad at a late point in what was then a 2-2 tie.

p.s. Saw him take a 20 second shift - never seen one that short before.

cbuckser · January 28, 2009, 12:34:07 AM

Douglas Murray fought Chris Stewart to the 2nd period tonight. He won a very lopsided scrap.

Josh '99 · January 28, 2009, 08:55:41 AM

Vesce had a goal and an assist and was -1; Iggulden didn't put up any points (2 shots on goal anyway) and was -4. Vesce's PlanetUSA team was victorious, thanks largely to the all-NCAA-alumni line of Jared Ross (UAH), Jeff Taffe and Ryan Potulny (both Minnesota). Ross set AHL ASG records with six assists and seven points, Potulny had six points, and Taffe had a hat trick and two assists.

ftyuv · January 28, 2009, 10:17:25 AM

[quote abmarks]Bitz has some stones.

Threw down the gloves and squared off with Donald *stick to the head* Brashear in the B's OT win over Washington tonight.

He looked good for the first minute of the fight while they wwere just eyin geach other with knuckles up and air- sparring. Once the jerseys got ggrabbed Brashear's experoence showed clearly...before he eventualy flattened Bitz with a left.

At least Bitz got in 2 to the back of the head if I remember right. Definitely fired up the squad at a late point in what was then a 2-2 tie.

p.s. Saw him take a 20 second shift - never seen one that short before.[/quote]
Postgame interview with Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266324001

And Thorton's thoughts on Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266130001

ugarte · January 28, 2009, 03:36:52 PM

[quote ftyuv][quote abmarks]Bitz has some stones.

Threw down the gloves and squared off with Donald *stick to the head* Brashear in the B's OT win over Washington tonight.

He looked good for the first minute of the fight while they wwere just eyin geach other with knuckles up and air- sparring. Once the jerseys got ggrabbed Brashear's experoence showed clearly...before he eventualy flattened Bitz with a left.

At least Bitz got in 2 to the back of the head if I remember right. Definitely fired up the squad at a late point in what was then a 2-2 tie.

p.s. Saw him take a 20 second shift - never seen one that short before.[/quote]
Postgame interview with Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266324001

And Thorton's thoughts on Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266130001[/quote]
More reactions: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/01/fight_cub.html

nr53 · January 28, 2009, 04:48:23 PM

[quote ugarte][quote ftyuv][quote abmarks]Bitz has some stones.

Threw down the gloves and squared off with Donald *stick to the head* Brashear in the B's OT win over Washington tonight.

He looked good for the first minute of the fight while they wwere just eyin geach other with knuckles up and air- sparring. Once the jerseys got ggrabbed Brashear's experoence showed clearly...before he eventualy flattened Bitz with a left.

At least Bitz got in 2 to the back of the head if I remember right. Definitely fired up the squad at a late point in what was then a 2-2 tie.

p.s. Saw him take a 20 second shift - never seen one that short before.[/quote]
Postgame interview with Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266324001

And Thorton's thoughts on Bitz: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185086463/bclid1221908723/bctid9266130001[/quote]
More reactions: http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/01/fight_cub.html[/quote]

And now video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4_F1xbe7s&eurl=http://www.hockey-fights.com/forum/youtube/logVideos.php?logId=7010&feature=player_embedded

cbuckser · January 28, 2009, 04:58:47 PM

As long as we're posting fight videos, here is the Murray-Stewart scrap.

andyw2100 · January 28, 2009, 05:19:46 PM

[quote cbuckser]As long as we're posting fight videos, here is the Murray-Stewart scrap.[/quote]

I really don't watch much NHL hockey. What's the etiquette on helmet removal before fighting? In the Murray fight, Murray had taken his helmet off, but Stewart didn't. It would seem this would give Stewart quite the edge in the fight, while at the same time saying, "I'm afraid of you." So...what's the deal?

Roy 82 · January 28, 2009, 05:29:24 PM

[quote andyw2100][quote cbuckser]As long as we're posting fight videos, here is the Murray-Stewart scrap.[/quote]

I really don't watch much NHL hockey. What's the etiquette on helmet removal before fighting? In the Murray fight, Murray had taken his helmet off, but Stewart didn't. It would seem this would give Stewart quite the edge in the fight, while at the same time saying, "I'm afraid of you." So...what's the deal?[/quote]

The deal is that Murray wears a visor and so is obligated to take his helmet off. Stewart does not wear a visor and is under no such obligation. I think that this situation is pretty standard and it is not necessary for one to take off a helmet just because the other does.