Linz and Predators play dirty in Stinktown

Linz fell behind three goals early against the Hamilton Predators in Steeltown in a rough and tumble affair for a Tuesday night. Hamilton owned a 2-0 lead 1:11 into the 1st period on a goal by Sheldon Souray and it seems that at that point the Black Wings had already decided the game was unwinnable and began taking it to the Predators physically.

Just over a minute after the 2nd goal, Todd Fedoruk (pictured), perhaps in an attempt to spark his team, laid a beating on Jordin Tootoo and the game only got uglier from there. Midway through the 2nd period, Mark Streit lacde Boyd Devereaux into the boards. This led to an long delay at Jordin Tootoo took revenge for his Fedoruk beating out on Donald Brashear. Neither Devereaux nor Streit returned to the game after the incident. Donald Brashear also got a 10 minute misconduct for instigating and saw no more ice this evening after the incident. Kyle Wellwood also left the game in the second period in an apparently unrelated incident.

The rough play continued in the 3rd period as Todd Fedoruk and Sheldon Souray got into it again, however, only roughing minors were called but in the ensuring chatter, Sheldon Souray was given a 10-minute misconduct was hit the showers early. Somewhere in this mess, Garnett Exelby scored his first goal of the season.

Pascal Leclaire started again tonight and is still hunting for his first win of the season. He faced 35 shots on a night when the Black Wings defensive woes were glaring, 44 completed passes to 16 intercepted, but if you take out Greg Zanon's 13-0 record it's 31-16.

Kyle Wellwood, who has played a surprisingly successful role on the left wing of Jason Spezza and Martin St. Louis will miss a game or two. Boyd Devereaux, not so lucky, will likely be gone for the remainder of the season. Scottie Upshall is rumoured to be replacing Wellwood on the first line tomorrow night. Rookie Patrick O'Sullivan will replace Devereaux on the 2nd line against the Sandblasters of Hawaii on Wednesday to show of parts of what will likely be an integral part of the Black Wings 2008-2009 team.