Fighting is alive and well in the NHL as we prepare for Olympic hockey

With the Olympic break upon us it just doesn’t feel the same knowing that there likely will be little to no fighting during International play. That’s why we’re here to bless you with some of the best fights from the best fighters of the 2013-14 season thus far. Enjoy.

We start with an absolute slugfest between Cody McLeod and Zenon Konopka that took place in Colorado earlier this month. It’s an enjoyable scrap between the soulless ginger out of Manitoba and the Buffalo enforcer. McLeod will enter the 2nd half tied for 8th in fighting majors and currently sits in the 12 spot with 99 PIMS. Clearly a guy you want to keep an eye on.

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Leading the pack with 15 fighting majors and 167 minutes spent in the sin bin is none other than the man Keith Olbermann called the ‘Worst Person in the Sports World’ – Tom Sestito. Olbermann called the Canuck left winger a ‘Boxing Hobo on Skates’ during one of his segments on whatever station still employs him. Well Keith, you had us at hobo. We celebrate Sestito on this site and will continue to do so by posting videos of him doing what he does best – sticking up for his teammates.

After a nasty hit by Brian McGrattan on Andrew Alberts that knocked Alberts unconscious, Sestito didn’t hesitate to drop the gloves in honor of his fallen teammate. Sure, McGrattan may have won the fight on the proverbial scorecards, but actions speak louder than words. The Canucks locker room just has to be proud of a guy like Sestito who continues to put his well-being on the line to protect his teammates.

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When you lead the league in fighting majors, you may also lead the league in getting your ass handed to you. Colton Orr does just that to Sestito below in a battle between two of the best heavyweights in the game today. Orr gets the best of Sestito in a showdown that will happen again, and again, and again for years to come.

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Dallas Stars sophomore Antoine Roussel wins the ‘Batman Vigilante of the Year’ award for unloading on Matt Irwin after the Sharks blueliner boarded a defenseless Trevor Daley. Great scrap.

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Here’s a little tip for you fight fans out there: Keep an eye on #21 whenever the Dallas Stars hit the ice. This clash co-starring Pred’s D-Man Kevin Klein was the kind of scrap that would even make Roussel’s countryman Cheick Kongo proud.

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What would any best of fight post of sorts be without Luke Gazdic, or even Milan Lucic for that matter. Sidenote: Jack Edwards reminds me of a poor mans Gus Johnson whenever he calls fights.

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Sorry Bolts fans, most of B.J. Crombeen’s fights have sucked this year so I’m leaving him out of this post. I just wasted a good amount of time watching the ones I missed and unfortunately I’ll never get said time back. Hopefully he steps it up in the second half. Moving right along!

We end things on a high note here with a gorgeous slobberknocker between Rich Clune and Zenon Konopka. Who said the Pred’s and Wild were boring teams??? I probably did once or thrice but I take it back after watching these two throwdown.

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