The DISH Network Penalty Box: Enforcers and Fighters
The NHL Penalty Box from DISH Network tracks the teams and players with the most fights and penalties this season
Lowell Cohn once said, "Some guys play hockey. (Wayne) Gretzky plays 40mph chess," and Gretzky himself once described hockey as a game played using angles and caroms.
But as important as strategy and passing lanes are to NHL hockey on TV, fights and hockey's physicality can be just as appealing to fans who watch NHL hockey, and thankfully DISH Network has every game nationally and locally.
With the NHL on DISH Network channels such as Versus, Comcast, and the NHL Center Ice package, you'll be able to catch every tension-filled hit and enforcer-led fight in HD from DISH Network.
Quote of the week:
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity. – Gordie Howe
Throughout the NHL TV schedule, we'll bring you weekly updates of hockey's biggest enforcers and most fight-happy teams. Here are the early leaders so far in the 2010-11 NHL TV schedule on DISH Network:
The Enforcers
1. George Parros, right wing, Anaheim Ducks – 17 fights
Anaheim Ducks right wing and facial hair enthusiast George Parros continues to add to his lead as the current NHL TV schedule’s most fight-happy enforcer. Parros most recently sparred with St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman and emerged with another win despite falling to the ice early on in the fight. George Parros and his simply awesome mustache can be seen cruising the ice on the NHL TV schedule on Fox Sports West from DISH Network.
2. Zenon Konopka, center, New York Islanders – 14 fights
New York Islanders center Zenon Konopka continues to fight for his place as the NHL TV schedule’s top enforcer, breaking a 14 day punching drought in New York’s 5-2 January 17th loss to the New Jersey Devils. Devils defenseman Mark Fraser got the best of Konopka with a heavy dose of early punches and a pin against the boards. Watch Konopka try and bounce back with better fights on the NHL TV schedule on MSG Plus from DISH Network.
3. Colton Orr, right wing, Toronto Maple Leafs – 12 fights
Since fighting twice on New Year’s Day and once on January 7 of the NHL TV schedule, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Colton Orr has gone cold fists. However, Orr’s spar with Atlanta Thrashers left wing Eric Boulton was punch-heavy with Boulton emerging victorious after numerous blows to the head were exchanged. Watch Orr go hunting for victims on the NHL TV schedule on NHL Center Ice from DISH Network.
4. Jared Boll, right wing, Columbus Blue Jackets – 12 fights
Although Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll had two fights on January 7 of the NHL TV schedule, he has failed to add to that total over the past week. Boll has followed up a scorching December (six fights) with a cold January, but there’s still time to catch up to the heavyweight enforcers in the NHL. Watch Jared Boll break out of his fighting slump on the NHL TV schedule on Fox Sports Ohio from DISH Network.
5. Brandon Prust, left wing, New York Rangers – 11 fights
New York Rangers left wing Brandon Prust was an early season mainstay as a quality enforcer on the NHL TV schedule, but has since quieted down a bit when it comes to getting in actual fights. Prust’s last fight was in a January 5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, but he’s got plenty of time to add to his current total before the regular season NHL TV schedule runs out. Watch Brandon Prust get his groove back on MSG from DISH Network.
Fight-Happy Teams
1. Anaheim Ducks – 46 fights
The Anaheim Ducks are flying high together and fighting with authority, including a four fight game against the second team in our rankings, the St. Louis Blues.
2. St. Louis Blues – 44 fights
The St. Louis Blues tallied four fights in a game against the Anaheim Ducks, and have seven fights in their last four games.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins – 42 fights
The Pittsburgh Penguins went four straight games on the NHL TV schedule without a fight, before notching one in each of their last two.
4. Boston Bruins – 41 fights
With six fights in their last four games, the Boston Bruins are hitting a groove that should make all of Bruins Nation proud.
5. New York Rangers – 39 fights
The New York Rangers have been fairly unimpressive when it comes to picking fights lately, but they are still tough enough to sit at the fifth spot in our rankings.
Catch all these enforcers and tough teams as they rack up penalty box minutes on the NHL TV schedule from DISH Network, including NHL Center Ice free of charge until October 27. Call Sterling Satellite at 1-800-299-5610 to talk to a customer service representative about DISH Network today.