2011 NHL Playoffs: Nathan Horton vs. Zack Smith and the Top 5 Fights of the Week

Another fantastic week of hockey is in the books and another group of fights is ready for your viewing pleasure.

As usual, we have some of the heavyweights in the hockey fighting world, as well as some newcomers to the fist party.

The fights at this time of the year are always solid and this week didn’t disappoint.

Enjoy!

5. Teemu Selanne vs. Brad Richardson

The actual Teemu Selanne against Brad Richardson fight doesn’t start until 2:00 minutes in, but you can see Selanne right in the middle of it all from the start.

Selanne gets crosschecked in the back of the head and they jaw back and forth until the fight breaks out. In 18 seasons, he has picked up only two fighting majors in the NHL.

The fight wasn’t great, but watching a 40-year-old scrap was fun to watch.

4. T.J. Oshie vs. Ryan Wilson

Let’s start by saying that T.J. Oshie was in way over his head against Ryan Wilson. Wilson is a regular on top fights and Oshie doesn’t fight much at all.

Wilson lands the first few blows, but Oshie holds his own and lands a few back.

Oshie landed three shots or so, but Wilson lands a good five uppercuts before throwing Oshie down.

3. Clayton Stoner vs. Theo Peckham

This fight starts six seconds into the contest and you have to wonder what was said at the warm-up skate.

Stoner's jersey comes over his head almost immediately and Peckham lands several shots to Stoner’s head while it’s covered.

Peckham lands shots at will and Stoner is on the ropes the whole fight.

2. Kyle Clifford vs. Sheldon Brookbank

This whole brawl starts with Teemu Selanne and Brad Richardson in the corner, but both Brookbank and Clifford are the ones who end up scraping.

Clifford gets in Selanne's face and Brookbank decides he doesn’t like what is being said to one of the stars of his team.

Brookbank goes after Clifford and they exchange glancing blows before Brookbank lands a hard shot and sends Clifford to one knee. Being a heavyweight, Clifford is back to his feet, but Brookbank lands several more shots.

1. Nathan Horton vs. Zack Smith

The video starts with two players who are throwing heavy punches because of something that had been brewing all game.

Horton and Smith exchange hands, but Smith lands several heavy shots to Horton’s face.

While Horton lost the fight, it’s that kind of dedication and commitment that can carry a team in the playoffs.