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A packed house watched the final Development Camp scrimmage. (Neil Greenberg photo for Capitals Examiner.)
Ahh hockey, we've missed you!
In only one sport will a coach claim that a fight between teammates came about because the players wanted to "stand out."
That was Bruce Boudreau legitimate claim Saturday, in describing the motivation that lead to not one, but two fights during the final Development Camp srimmage. In other sports, you "stand out" like that and you receive an automatic, team-mandated suspension! Hockey is a different animal though.
For in hockey, the fight is treated as a noble act. A necessary form of justice that can be used to either change the momentum of a game, or correct a perceived wrong.
Hockey is also the only sport in which such derision is granted for those who partake in physical activities, without risking the ultimate price; a swift fist-to-the-face. It is why a player like Matt Cooke will be so openly loathed, as Cooke is known as a player who will take liberties on the ice, while doing everything he can to not own up to it by avoiding most all fights.
On the other hand, when a man does step up and put his neck on the line. no matter if it is a win, lose or draw, he usual receives the respect of his teammates, (that is unless you are Alexander Semin) and that respect is often even extended to the opponent he fought against.
Such mutual respect was seen Saturday. While Stephen Della Rovere got the better of Capitals prospect Trevor Bruess in a second period fight, Bruess, being a hockey player in the true sense of the word, responded afterwards by complimenting Della Rovere. "He’s a tough kid, so, good for him," said Bruess afterwards.
It was a fight that Neil Greenberg expertly took photos of. I tell you this one was a good one, and thanks to Neil, we get to see it, in all it's bloody glory.
Stephen Della Rovere vs Trevor Bruess.
Anthony Fisano vs Joe Finley (All photos by Neil Greenberg)
Stephen Della Rovere vs Trevor Bruess
The aftermath
As Neil has clearly documented here, Della Rovere got the best of Trevor in this fight, sending him home with a bloody nose if not much more. One thing you'll notice though is that even though he must be in a great deal of pain, Bruess keeps punching. That, "never say die" aspect of Bruess's game is seen far beyond his fights. Throughout the camp he looked both in scrimmages and in practices to be the prospect that showed the most hustle. Bruce was also a fan. "Trevor Bruess, I think goes at it every shift."
Afterwards, I was able to interview Bruess, who was still sporting a nasty welt from the fight on his nose.
Michael Hoffman: What's your overall impression of how you did in camp?
Trevor Bruess: Played hard. Our line generated some good chances but we didn't produce as much as I wanted to, but other than that we played really hard and we were good on the forecheck and good in the d-zone.
Michael Hoffman: Between that fight and moving the puck you seem to be someone who is constantly moving, can you just talk about your game and what you are trying to do this season?
Trevor Bruess: I've always been a fast mover. I've been trying to gain weight so when I use the body I get some good impact. Pretty much moving all the time and trying to get to loose pucks and trying to get some better scoring opportunities.
Michael Hoffman: Gotta ask you about the fight. What brought it about? You both got some good shots in, how are you feeling right now?
Trevor Bruess: Feeling pretty good about it. I chucked a lot, it was a good fight but I think he landed the best one and he got me with a really good one. Other than that, it's going to be one of my roles (fighting) for what I'm going to do, so I gotta work on that. He's (Della Rovere) a tough kid, so good for him.
Michael Hoffman: You made a nice jump moving from South Carolina to Hershey last season, what's your goal this season? How do you build from that?
Trevor Bruess: Hopefully just making myself a full-time guy, a guy they need every minute and pushing Washington. So that's the goal.
For more info: We'll have more of Greenberg's photos from the scrimmage and more commentary from the game this Sunday.
Comments
For starters lets spell his name correctly. BRUESS....landed the best blows.....and Eakin is such a baby that he needs his teammates to fight for him??? lets get real... SDR needs to learn the rules and understand that u don't fight before the puck drops. Bruess got the best in this one...played SDR the way he should>>>
You're delusional Tom. Bruess was dripping blood everywhere. Pisano got bloody in the box. No way that would be considered a Bruess win. Also tons of guys don't fight. I'd never want Ovi to, because he could break his hand. You must be Trevor's dad or his brother, because I can't think of anyone else who would tink that.
Apologies on initially having the wrong name. I guess finishing articles at 3:30AM is not such a great idea. Tom I don't think Bruess landed the best blow, (just look at his face afterwards) but like I said, he showed a lot of heart out there.
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