Atmosphere almost like the Spectrum | West Coast Rink Rants

A Prayer for Pat

Before we get rolling I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to Stanley Cup winning coach Pat Burns.

Burns recently revealed that he was diagnosed with lung cancer back in May.

It is the third time the awful disease has threatened Burns, he has also fought off both liver and colon cancer in the past 6 years.

He's a strong man and seems in good spirits about the ordeal.

Please say a prayer for him and go get yourself checked out.

It's never too early to tackle this mammoth ailment.

Is this the Spectrum?

There were a couple of good bouts out in Philadelphia earlier this evening.

The first one we got was between Philly's Riley Cote and the Atlanta Thrashers Eric Boulton.

As of late, the negative criticism towards Cote's win/loss record is far too nauseating for me.

Here's a guy who sizes in at 6'1, 210 pounds, never backs down from a challenge and boasts a fight card that includes every relevant enforcer in the league.

Yet, people are so quick to bash him for losing more than he wins.

You can bet that every single one of his opponents knows that he can take care of business and approach Cote with a bit of caution.

We all must remember, that there are many dynamics to participating in a hockey fight. Sometimes its about reminding your opponent what team you skate for and a lot of times its about channeling your energy to your teammates and the bench, reinvigorating your squads pulse.

So Cote's record is below .500, so what, I doubt his teammates respect him any less, in fact, I imagine the first beer ordered after a game slides right over Cote's way.

Our second bout featured comes from the same game.

This one involves the Flyers Arron Asham and the Thrasher's Boris Valabik.

Asham is one of the better middleweights in the league and Valabik is an emerging light-heavyweight.

I really see a lot of qualities in Asham that Mike Keane carried.

Strong character guy, always willing to stick up for his teammates, mucks in the corners with relentless passion and earns everything he gets.

-MB

Cote vs. #4 Boulton

#2 Asham vs. Valabik

Cote vs. Asham- 11-8-07

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January 22, 2009 10:41 AM ET

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How stereotypical ... a Philly fan more interested in the fights than the game itself!

But I do agree with your sentiments on Pat Burns. A good man, a great coach. Go Devils.