Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog fought with forward Brayden Schenn. Though the fight was Schenn’s idea, Landeskog prevailed.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog isn’t afraid to fight. He’s a skill player, but he’s mostly a power forward. He plays hard, he hits hard, and he drops the gloves in the interest of the team.
Tonight against the St. Louis Blues, the interest of the team came early in the game. The Avalanche captain faced off with young center Brayden Schenn right after the opening faceoff.
Indeed, the fight took place just three seconds into the game — literally right after the opening faceoff.
Here’s the fight:
That REALLY escalated quickly. Schenn - Landeskog drop the gloves right after the opening faceoff.
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) February 9, 2018
You don't want to miss this @StLouisBlues game on FSMW and FSGO. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/CZIHM6e4on
In fact, as you see from the replay of the fight, it was Schenn’s idea to drop the gloves. Schenn, a natural center, is positioned right across left wing Landeskog for the opening faceoff. Maybe Blues coach Mike Yeois still fuming from the time the Avs captain punched his own captain in the face — this was during Yeo’s Minnesota Wild tenure.
Yet, there Schenn is, position right by Landeskog for the opening faceoff. And he’s yapping at the Avs captain the whole way. No question who came up with the idea for the fight. (Indeed, look at Yeo on the bench, looking to make sure his boy stood up to the Avs captain.)
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It’s hard to know what Schenn is saying, but it’s clear he’s the one who calls Landeskog over. Indeed, even as Landeskog lines up across from him and seemingly agrees to fisticuffs, Schenn continues to yap.
What’s odd is that it’s the Colorado Avalanche and captain Landeskog who have more incentive to fight than Schenn and the St. Louis Blues. By that point, the two teams had faced each other twice, and the Blues had prevailed both times. What’s more the game was taking place in St. Louis’ home barn, the Scottrade Center.
Therefore, it seems like the idea for a fight should originate with Colorado. However, it did not. The idea is clearly all Schenn’s.
A couple of side notes. One, so-called hockey purists act like they don’t want to see fighting in the game. Yet both teams and all the fans in the arena are clearly into it. And neither Schenn nor Landeskog — especially Landeskog — is a goon just making his way in the NHL via his fists.
Two, it looks uncomfortable for players like Schenn to not wear underarmour under their padding. Don’t the shoulder pads chafe?
Next: Landeskog Living up to Expectations
Side note, Landeskog clearly won the fight. Things were pretty even in the beginning, but there’s a point where Landeskog steals Schenn’s balance. Brayden’s arms become entangles in his jersey, and soon after his half-naked body goes down.
Victory: Captain Landeskog for the Colorado Avalanche.