Blackhawks rookie Brandon Bollig happy to duke it out
By Ben Meyer-Abbott bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com March 27, 2012 9:58PM
Chicago Blackhawks Headshots
Updated: April 29, 2012 8:20AM
NEWARK, N.J. — Jordin Tootoo probably hopes Brandon Bollig isn’t so obliging next time.
The Nashville Predators forward asked for and was granted a fight Sunday by the Blackhawks’ new enforcer, and what followed was one of the most decisive wins in Bollig’s short NHL career.
‘‘We were both just kind of willing,’’ Bollig said. ‘‘He asked me, and I obliged him. The rest is history, I guess.’’
Bollig dropped Tootoo with a massive left uppercut during their first-period fight, sending him to the locker room with a bleeding ear. He didn’t return.
‘‘Obviously it’s unfortunate when something happens like that to somebody that’s willing to fight,’’ Bollig said. ‘‘It’s a tough job to do. You don’t really want to hurt anyone, but you definitely want to win the fight.’’
That hasn’t been a problem for Bollig. According to hockeyfights.com, the rookie, 25, who fought 17 times in the American Hockey League this season before his callup, has won six of seven fights in his 13-game NHL career.
‘‘His ability to punch with both hands creates a huge challenge for guys,’’ said Hawks forward Jamal Mayers, a veteran of 117 NHL fights. ‘‘He’s very efficient with his punches, very compact and very in control. You can tell that he knows what he’s doing.’’
At his current pace, Bollig would have a whopping 44 fights over an 82-game schedule, assuming other players keep asking him to go. If they do, look for Bollig to oblige them.
