So, it finally happened. Andrew Sharp finally got his maiden fights under his belt as a Phoenix player.
And judging from the reaction, people either loved it or hated it!
Lets quicky cover what went down:
1st fight. Sharp and Payette have a little scrap. Payette seems to 'jump' Sharp, but the both exchange blows before Sharp pulls Payettes jersey over his head, and Payette wretles Sharp to the ice. Some folks are edging this to Payette based on the takedown, me? I'm calling it a draw.
2nd fight: This is where it gets interesting. Payette is out on the ice, agitiating, he spends an entire shift trying to draw a Phoenix player who isn't called Andrew Sharp into a fight, finally settling on Tony 'Killer' Hand. To do this he literally grabs Tonys stick and refuse to let go as they drift towards the benches for a line change. Tony looks a bit pissed off by this, and after about 10 or so seconds of Payettes juvenile bullshit motions that Sharp is to replace him on the line change. Now this is where stories diverge a bit. Frtom my vantage point Payette clearly sees (and hears) Tony call Sharp onto the ice, and given his experience knows what is about to happen. Sharp is coming onto the ice purely to throw some fists Mr Payettes way. For reasons known only to himself, as Sharp rushes at him, Payette decides to half turn away and 'turtle' the fight (ala Jamieson last season against Payette). all this results in is Sharp landing a monster blow which drops Payette immediately. Rather stupidly Sharp then aims a few puches at the prone Payette, before being dragged off. Tony gives him a little bollocking for being a bit too rough. Sharp isn't happy, but heads straight to the locker room as the ref indicates he is to do so. (Icidentally, people closer to the action thatn myslef heard Sharp trying to get payette to man up and 'Fucking fight' instead of turtle, and others claim the punches were actually Sharp trying to pull Payette back to his feet). Payette lies there like he has been knocked into next week.
Then something odd happens. Sharp is brought back out, and put into the penalty box, to serve just a 2+2. Payette has suddenly recovered and beigns a Benny Hill-esque attempt to chase the ref around the ice, almost hitting a lino at least once. Payette racks up an impressive penalty call of 2 + 2 + 10 + Game + Match, mostly for abuse of an official. Naughy boy.
Oh, and we won 7-0. But that seems to be secondary.
Plenty of folks enjoyed the fights (I know I did, nowt gets the blood up like some fists flying. Not that i want to see it every fucking game, but every so often it has to be done), and plenty didn't. I certainly heard comments to the effect that 'we don't need/want that in hockey'. And plenty of folks though Sharp was out of order for his 'suckerpunch' on Payette.
Now, I'm sorry, but Payette knew what was coming. No questions. He tried to pull a turtle, and it didn't work. Far worse from my viewpoint was his pathetic petulance after the fact, chasing the ref, etc. If he had used the brain he was born with he would have had a 2+2 just like Sharp, and a chance to take his 'revenge' if he so wished. Instead, he acted like a spoilt brat who has had his favorite toy taken away from him. Hardly the best example to a bench full of young Brits who need guidance from a sebior player (and make no mistake, at the Steeldogs Payette is the senior player).
And from a 'tough guy' perspective, Payette lost his pissing contest with Sharp on Sunday. He'll come back for another tilt, mark my words, and Sharp will probably come off a stand up fight worse. But I don't see a 'stand up' fight. I see some pathetic tit for tat revenge attack. Which could be very bad news indeed.
But just to re-iterate, we won 7-0. And we looked very comfortable and smooth in doing it. Bring on Jan 2nd!
