Game 2 between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers started with the Sens' tough guys lining up against the Rangers' tough guys, which will no doubt draw the ire of Rangers Coach John Tortorella after the game. Nothing happened initially; but 2:15 into the first period, Matt Carkner went after Brian Boyle to spark a melee.
It ended with Carkner getting a game misconduct … as well as Brandon Dubinsky of the Rangers. Which, again, should draw the ire of Coach John Tortorella after the game.
From Andrew Gross of Rangers Rants:
Here's the fight and it does involve Carkner. He goes after Boyle after a Boyle check. He gets the big guy down on the ice, throwing punches while Boyle protects his head. That leads to a giant scrum. Seems like both Dubinsky and Carkner have been ejected. Dubinsky is going nuts, throwing a Gatorade vat as he exits to the dressing room. Rangers wind up with five minute power play with Foligno serving Carkner major..
Boyle asked for this with his actions in Game 1, as the video shows. But Dubinsky did the noble thing here, getting in while the officiating crew was nowhere to be seen to break up the pummeling.
Did he deserve the game misconduct? Perhaps by the letter of the law, but it's hard to stomach.