Future Fisticuffs
Every year or two, I try to change up the possible fights section a bit. The idea hit me last night, so here it goes.
Oh, and my apologies for the delay in an update – work and computer issues got in the way.
Friday Oct 17:
Niagara @ Plymouth – Since dealing off Mike Yovanic to London, the Whalers have lacked that one major heavyweight. However, both teams have a solid supporting cast. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jamie Devane of the Whalers and Johnson Andrews of the Ice Dogs drop the mitts. Both are larger rookies and Andrews has had a couple tilts already. If you’re looking strictly for well-known guys, a great middle-weight match could be Kaine Geldart of Plymouth and Chris De Sousa from Niagara.
Erie @ Guelph – There’s one match here that could make waves around the league – Ryan Baldwin of the Storm and Luke Gazdic of the Otters. Both are legit top 12 guys overall and could put the fans on their feet. Guelph just dealt tough guy Patrick Moran to Windsor and with Leigh Salters out, there’s no real knowing who else might drop the mitts for them. A possibility could be a battle of the overagers – Brandon Biggers v. Matt Kennedy, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Belleville @ Kitchener – I want to pick a fight or two here, but Belleville hasn’t been known much for the fights over the last couple of seasons. So, instead, I’ll move on…
Brampton @ Mississauga – The one I’d like to see is Luke Van Moerkerke and Kyle Neuber, to see what Van Moerkerke can do, but I don’t know if either will do it. I’m sure Mississauga’s Zac Rinaldo will find a willing combatant, though.
Oshawa @ Sarnia – For the first time in years, Oshawa is lacking a true heavyweight. Like Plymouth, though, they have a solid supporting cast. If I’m a betting man, I’d put money on Tyler Taylor trying to go with Sting agitator Daniel Lombardi in a battle of the smaller guys who like to stir the pot. Other than that, I’m not seeing a whole lot else here.
Barrie @ Saginaw – This could be interesting. Colts’ tough guy Andrew Clouthier faces his original team, so maybe he’ll go Saginaw tough guy Kain Allicock. The Spirit also have occasional fighter Jordan Szwarz. Hmmm…I wonder if Stefan Della Rovere might be interested?
SSM @ Kingston – There’s one really obvious match-up here – Peluso v. Stevens. They’re the first two names to pop into a lot of heads when the teams come up and it could be a great tilt. If you’re looking for a more likely fight, though, check out the youngsters Jake Carrick (SSM) and James Marsden (KGN). They like to go and more than willing.
OS @ London – This might be a huge test for Owen Sound tough guy Lane MacDermid. He’s floated in between heavyweight and middleweight for a while now, but with London getting the giant Yovanic, maybe this is the game where MacDermid shows he can hang with the heavies. I’ll leave it at that…
Windsor @ Ottawa – While Windsor is full of willing guys, Ottawa isn’t. They’ve got Julien Demers, who showed last year he can definitely go with the big boys, fighting enforcer Richard Greenop, and solid youngster Thomas Nesbitt, but beyond that, it’s tough…or not so tough, I guess. Maybe Michael Latta, one of their young centers, will find a dance partner.
Peterborough @ Sudbury – While this one sounds like it could be good, it could go either way. Peterborough has Zack Kassian and Derek Gregorak, but will either guy be willing to throw down against a team lacking the big guy? Sudbury has newly-acquired home-town favourite Cory McGillis and youngster Tyler Sheldrake, so there are some options. I’ll throw this one as a toss-up.
Saturday:
Sudbury @ Kitchener – A long drive for the Wolves on Saturday, but that could just add to their feistiness. Given Kitchener is rebuilding a bit, tough guys Mike Mascioli and Brandon Mashinter have toned down the fisticuffs to keep them on the ice more. While I want to say a few tilts will happen, I just can’t. Not yet, at least.
Niagara @ Saginaw – It’s another return to Saginaw for a former Spirit tough guy as Scott Fletcher makes his presence known in the mid-Michigan city. I can see Allicock wanting a piece of him, so look for those two to shed the mitts. Perhaps Szwarz will also tango with Andrews in a battle of the middleweights.
Erie @ Owen Sound – I’d really like to see Gazdic take on MacDermid, but if MacDermid goes Yovanic, I doubt he’ll go Gazdic the next night. Even the best heavyweights don’t usually go back-to-back nights. Other than that, it’s tough to know what Owen Sound might be thinking. However, I’ll toss this out there: Paul Bezzo v. Brian Shaw. Just something to think about…
Windsor @ Belleville – What happens when you put two talented teams on a giant ice surface and one has a ton of toughness, while the other has very few willing guys? My guess is a high scoring game with few penalties. I can’t see much happening here.
Barrie @ Sarnia – Something here intrigues me, but I can’t place my finger on it. I’d love to see Clouthier go with Matt Martin, but the Sting really need Martin on the ice as he’s their captain and among the most valuable players they have. I think I’ll skip to the Sunday games because while this one is intriguing, something tells me to move on.
Sunday:
Mississauga @ Brampton – See above in the Friday games. A big rival, but a Sunday afternoon – pick a side, any side.
Windsor @ Kingston – Greenop v. Stevens! Greenop v. Stevens! I’ll say it one more time – Greenop…v….Stevens!! Then there’s the chance of Wallace v. Marsden round 2. Oh, this could be fun if it was like Thursday night in Windsor (where the Spitfires dominated).
Sault @ Ottawa – I think the best option here is Carrick v. Nesbitt or Latta, but even that’s tough to say for sure. A Sunday afternoon with a team that’s not really known for fighting doesn’t usually equal many fights.
Sudbury @ Guelph – With Baldwin still trying to make an impression in Guelph, I can see him going Sheldrake. Beyond that, though, there’s not much here.
Kitchener @ London – Where do I start? Two bitter rivals, two very willing teams, I’m not sure I have the space to put all the potential match-ups here. Given what happened last time Yovanic played Kitchener (near brawl), this could be fun. I’ll throw a pair of match-ups out there, though – Yovanic and Mashinter, plus Garett Hunter and Mike Mascioli. Let the fun begin!
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