Flames Find Fight: Calgary Players Who Bring the Heat

Last night I published a report regarding which teams fought this year and which didn’t. When I awoke this morning, I found both local newspapers as well as the local sports radio analysts were discussing the impact timely fighting has had on the Calgary Flames.

It seems I am not the only one impressed with the exhibitions of late, labelling the Flames as one of the top fighters in the League.

The interesting thing about Flames scrappers is they come in all shapes and sizes. Fight situations arise when the opposition gets out of control, when the squad needs a lift in the game, when they wish to show they may be down but not out; each fight is intended to meet the needs of the situation.

As I discussed in my previous article (and intend to discuss further in the summer) hockey fights have many variations, as do the fighters themselves. Here, I take a quick overview of the gunners the Calgary Flames employ.

The man at the top of the Flames fight card - and 9^th overall in the League - is 28 year-old enforcer Eric Godard, tallying 15 of the 68 Calgary clashes. He’s done it all in the icy ring, creating high-impact moments that spark his mates via his powerful hitting. He has received four misconduct penalties (two game-misconducts), including a pair received for a fight with a goaltender, Oiler backstop Mathieu Garon. That particular match occurred during a terrible 5-0 Calgary loss at Rexall Place, and featured five fights in the sixty-minute contest. Godard carries a 6’4” - 225 lbs frame into his contests, and has heavy fists to back it up.

Tied for second most fights on the team are Dion Phaneuf and Mark Smith. While Phaneuf’s impressive game has garnered minor Norris chatter, his altercation totals will keep him out of contention for the Lady Byng. As a key figure and beloved by fans, the defenseman’s bouts are among the most popular as he demonstrates yet another dimension to his game. Smith’s fight numbers are of interest as it has been his best stat this year in his 54 games-played.

Eric Nystrom - winner of the Flames Guitar Hero championships under the name “Eternal Nystrom” - has found time for eight major fights in the 44 games he has played for the big club this year. Splitting his season between the AHL Quad City Flames and the NHL organisation, Nystrom has saved his battles for when he is playing for Calgary. Although his point totals are low, he has maintained a position on both rosters largely due to the intensity he can bring to a game.

The Flames fights that have been most uplifting to the squad come from their captain, Jarome Iginla. Although not a regular in the pugilistic arena, Iginla plays his entire game the same way: leading by example. So often the spark for his team offensively, the Calgary captain elevates his club’s performance as well as his own very effectively when he fights. On the rare occasions he does drop the gloves, Iginla raises his game to the highest level and uses every tool at his disposal to get the job done. The action may take him off the ice for five minutes, but the determination evident in their leader usually revs the entire Flames bench.

Iginla is a formidable adversary, but as an elite player must weigh the benefits and downfalls of entering what can be a very risky situation. He generally manages to balance his game-play well enough to avoid serious injury, however he has lost time in the past due to a broken hand incurred during a fight.

During the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Iginla stood toe-to-toe in each round (although he didn’t actually register a fight versus Scott Hannan in San Jose, the two nearly came to blows) and lifted his team each time to win games and series. This year, his five fight-nights (his second most since six in 2000-01) have resulted in a 3-1-1 record. His stats this year reflect what has been one of the most productive seasons in his career, and the face of the Flames continues to improve his fantastic reputation as one of the best all-around players in the game.

When Jim Vandermeer was first traded to Calgary in late February, I wrote a player outline of the rearguard for a Flames fan site. I was excited to see a tough stay-at-home defenseman bolstering the roster and anticipated a good showing. As a player relatively unknown in his new city, Vandermeer has surpassed the initial expectations of many Calgary fans.

The Caroline, Alberta native is obviously comfortable in the Sutter/Keenan system and has recently been lauded in the Calgary media for the intelligent physical presence he brings to the team game. A former junior hockey forward, coach Mike Keenan has taken to placing Vandermeer on a forward line with obvious intention. With four fantastic fights since joining the club, he has been a force to be reckoned with as he becomes a fan favourite . Often playing upwards of 23 minutes a game, Vandermeer will be a useful resource as Calgary looks towards the playoffs.

The team has been lucky enough to find heartening bouts from the least likely of players as well. The bench always responds best when a man takes a fight for the team, not for himself, and when the pacifists, skill players and tiny talents drop the gloves, the team knows they are finding another gear.

Speedster Matthew Lombardi recorded his first NHL fight in a revenge filled episode of the Battle of Alberta this February. Following the embarrassing 5-0 loss in Edmonton five days earlier, the Flames were desperate to prove their superiority over a team they felt was out of playoff contention. Pairing up with Oiler Ladislav Smid early in the first for the only scrap of the game, the Flames would take over the momentum and come away with the 4-1 payback win. Measuring in at 5’11” - 195 lbs, the young centreman will always be known for his skill offensively rather than aggressively, but it was good to see him stand up in an emotional game.

Until this year, former captain Craig Conroy had only one other fight in his NHL career; his first big-league battle was waged against none other than future Flame team-mate and friend Jarome Iginla. On 18 March 2008, both Conroy and defenseman Robyn Regehr fought Blue Jacket combatants in a shutout loss in Columbus. Despite the unwelcome overall outcome, the rest of the squad spoke afterwards on their poor response to the well-intentioned battles delivered by the two veterans. Nonetheless, appreciation was evident as two key players put themselves on the line for the team in an effort to find a win.

The Calgary contender for the light-middleweight category has been rearguard Cory Sarich. Sarich, 6’3” and only 175 lbs (although the official weight seems to fluctuate up and down depending on the record sheet), has paired up three times this year. Winning his fights twice (the two bouts in the aforementioned Edmonton loss), he found himself in a long-fought draw when battling Minnesota heavy Todd Fedoruk this March. In game that saw three scraps (Eric Godard and Jim Vandermeer were the other Flames fighters), Calgary won a playoff-intensity contest that kept them in competition for the Northwest title.

Finally, not to be forgotten in his later years, Owen Nolan has waged war three times as a Flame so far this year. The battleaxe mentality of the long-time leader shone through flying fists as the Flames won each of the contests in which he fought. 26 year-old defenseman David Hale has chipped in as well, adding a pair to the skirmish total while he attempts to add another facet to his game.

Of course the NHL boxing experience is a two-man tango, and the list of opponents Flames players have faced holds some impressive names. Jared Boll, George Parros, Zach Scortini, Ian Laperriere, Georges Laraque, Steve Ott, Chris Simon, Derek Boogaard, Aaron Voros and Adam Burish are just a few of the major combatants the Flames have squared up to this season. In the process of meeting such an intimidating array of challengers, Calgary has prepared themselves well for what may come. While the impact this team of warriors will have in the playoffs remains to be seen, an evenly balanced squad armed with skill, grit, speed, and determination will have every opportunity to succeed. In fact, they can make opportunities to succeed with pure strength of will if need be. If the Calgary Flames find cause to defend themselves in the coming weeks, fans can be reassured that there are many men in red willing to go the extra mile.