I've been under the weather as of late, so I didn't tune in for yesterday's game, but of course I knew I had to check for fight penalties - keep the Pensburgh crew happy.  When I spotted one (finally - they've been behaving themselves as of late) this weird little word was sitting next to it: "Staal".  I refreshed my page to make sure it was correct.

I've seen better fights than this little number that broke out early in the second period, but keep in mind that this has doubled Jordan Staal's NHL fight total.  Sure, that may not be impressive if you consider that his earlier fight number was 1 - imagine if Eric Godard doubled his fight total in a single game.

This one's short and sweet, but our boy really took it to Erik Reitz.  After a little bit of dancing, Staal starts unloading on Reitz's head before overshooting and losing his balance, to which Reitz tries to take advantage as the linesmen come in.  It was a strong showing from a non-fighter, and it gives Staal the win in my column.

You remember Jarkko Ruutu, don't you?  While he may be skating for the Senators now, it still catches my attention when he makes news.

Over on James Mirtle's From the Rink (you are reading that, aren't you?) he's got a posting on Ruutu getting suspended for two games for allowing his elbow to make contact with someone's face.  Can't imagine how that could happen.

EDIT: The link has a video, but I guess I could add it here as well:

This one I was actually a little torn over whether to add it to Tales of the Tape.  The feature covers brawls that result in a five minute major penalty for fighting, but the fight between Matt Cooke and Theo Peckham at 5:06 in the 3rd period last night resulted in only a major penalty for Peckham.  Finally, I decided since Cooke was involved, I should count it, though it really isn't pretty.

Cooke was going crazy with the hits, which led Peckham to ambush him and start swinging before Cooke even had a chance to drop his stick and gloves (didn't he ever see D2: The Mighty Ducks?).  Cooke tried to defend himself, but took some savage hits before the linesmen got in between the two, which actually didn't stop Peckham, who swung again and connected with Cooke's head.  I would consider this a win for Peckham, but his hand has to be hurting from repeatedly punching Cooke's helmet.

A notable thing here is that Cooke did not get a major penalty for the fight, instead getting 2 minutes for roughing.  Peckham, on the other hand, got penalties for fighting, instigating, and a misconduct.  I'm not quite sure on the details of that, but I have a feeling the ambush and the swing through the linesmen have something to do with it.  I know I don't like the guy now.

I'm not a fan of comment sections on most sport-related websites (SB Nation notwithstanding, of course) as most of the comments are hate-spewing drivel that shows why there should be a mandatory IQ test given before being allowed to get online.

However, while I was running through CBS Sports' recap of last night's game seeking out fighting penalties (I missed the game), I came across one that I felt needed to be shared:

 To:  Pittsburgh Penguins

From:  NHL

Subject:  Length of Game

It has come to our attention that members of the Pittsburgh Penguins players and coaching staff have a misconception regarding the length of a regulation NHL game.  You should be aware that the time of a "regulation" game is 60 minutes, which shall be split into 3, 20 minute periods.

In the future you may wish to play for the entire 60 minutes rather than for some smaller portion thereof.

Should you have any questions regarding this memo, we would like to reference you to games played this year against the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, and most recently the Edmonton Oilers.

Additionally, weak statements such as "it was a learning experience", are only applicable when you actually learn something..... saying that repeatedly as you do it, is just making excuses.

Regards,

G.B.

Good stuff.

After a few losses in his last fights, Eric Godard is back for more.  5:48 in the 1st period, Godard was ready to go with Steve MacIntyre, and finally turned out the win.

After exchanging a few blows, Godard pulled a little jab number on MacIntyre for some quick shots to the face.  If you recognize the move, it's because the exact same move was used against Godard by San Jose's Jody Shelley in his last fight.  Whether or not that's where Godard got the move is irrelevant.  I think it's neat.

After trading a few more shots, Godard got the upper hand and continued to pound on MacIntyre with his right fist until finally he connected with a shot that cost MacIntyre his balance as well as, in my opinion, the fight.  Definitely a good brawl.

Check back in a couple hours for the second fight of the game!  But until then...

Dunman posted this up yesterday afternoon to give us all a lil place to meet up and talk hockey.  So I figured I'd move it back up to the top of the page to see what's on everyone's mind now that Pascal Dupuis is due back Thursday , Sid responded to Semin and the All-Star ballots are out.  Jump into the convo and join us on your lunch break or anytime during the day.  (Might I also suggest minimizing the window at work). ...Frank...

With the Penguins' victory over the Blues now almost three full days past and the next game against Edmonton still two days away, you may be experiencing a bit of withdrawal.  I know I'm desperately trying to get my hands to quit shaking and Frank's already been placed in a padded cell.

 So, oh great Pensburgh community, what's on your mind?  Since there's no game to comment on, let's talk about something else.  What teams are impressing you thus far this season?  What teams are letting you down?  What kind of adjustments would you make to the Penguins lines?  How long did you have to wait in line to vote?  Is Frank rigging the SPG results (he totally is)?

This thread is open for anything - just keep it clean and keep it relatively polite.

Not going to spend too much time on this fight, because had it not been officially ruled a fight, I wouldn't have designated it as such.  If Eric Godard could have taken a five minute major for 'getting beaten down', I think he should have.  But enough of my belly-aching.  Let's take a look.

The fight started out like any other, but when the two tied up, Godard seemed to be surprised by Jody Shelley's ability to punch with the hand that was also holding his jersey.  Godard didn't get many shots going (like the Pens in general last night, har har) and when Shelley pulled his jersey over his head and proceeded with the beating it was all over.  I don't see how you could call this anything but a loss for Godard - and to a man named Jody.  That's got to sting.

By the way, this has been Eric Godard's 5th fight this season.  In comparison to last year's team, it took Georges Laraque until December to tally five fights.  Godard is currently tied for second in the NHL for fights with Columbus's Derek Dorsett and just one behind one of Pensburgh's favorite punching bags Riley Cote of Philadelphia (whom Godard defeated, if you recall).  Doesn't look like anyone will be questioning Godard's role on the team anytime soon.

What's that?  Bissonnette's fight not enough for you?  A little under the halfway point in the 2nd period, Eric Godard got into the fighting act against Wade Brookbank, but it didn't quite work out so well for him as it did for B-Net (nickname approved by Pensburgh's own Frank!).

Godard started off strong, but had a tough time getting his hand free to punch, and ended up missing quite a few blows.  When Brookbank lost his balance it looked like Godard had the fight in hand, but Brookbank got back up and laid into his opponent with some vicious shots before Godard shifted for the takedown.

Though Godard did get the takedown, the flurry from Brookbank was too much for me to rule it as a draw.  I would call this one a loss.

If you haven't gotten to know Paul Bissonnette yet, then I may assume that you're a bit squeamish when it comes to hockey fights.  Bissonnette lit up the preseason with his fists and hasn't stopped in the regular season.  Better yet, he's really good at what he does.  Case in point - his fight against Dan LaCouture just into the 1st period of last night's game against the Hurricanes.

Bissonnette came out swinging and when LaCouture moved in to him, he met the fists to his head.  After losing his helmet and a bit of his balance, LaCouture could do nothing but take a beating from Bissonnette.  On my call, that's a win for the good guys.

Before I get to the poll seeing who you think won the fight, I want to mention some changes to Tales of the Tape from last season.  As polls are now dependable for me (they never seemed to want to post last season), I will be keeping tabs of the victors that you, the Pensburgh community, decide through these polls, as well as my own decisions.  So when I give a player's fight total after a video, it will have two win-loss-draw ratings: mine and yours.

Unfortunately, I can only post one poll per post, so check back around noon for the game's second fight between Eric Godard and Wade Brookbank.  You'll be glad you did...until you see the fight.

I've been slacking lately, so I thought I'd get on the ball with the new edition of Eric Godard Fights Everyone in Hockey.

Eric Godard vs. Shawn Thornton; 1st period, 15:56

If you were wondering whatr Eric Godard's role on the team is, here he is once again dropping the gloves, this time against the Bruins' Shawn Thornton.  Unfortunately, there wasn't much to this one, as Godard gets Thornton's helmet off and dodges a few shots before Thornton slips on the ice and the linesmen break the two up.  No fight means a draw, but that's just my opinion.  What do you think?