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Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:30 am EDT

Fight Video: David Koci finds Colton Orr's fists in midseason form

By Greg Wyshynski

When Zdeno Chara destroys you in a fight, does that forever taint your career as an NHL brawler?

We only ask because every time we see David Koci, now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, we think of him as one of the League's preeminent jobbers. Like those dudes you'd see on WWF Superstars -- with names like Nailz or the Brooklyn Brawler -- who'd look the part of a dangerous wrestler, but whose only purpose was to put over the real talent.

During the Lightning's 4-2 win over the New York Rangers last night (45 saves for Kari Ramo ... yowzer), Koci dropped the gloves with Colton Orr and was absolutely shellacked by the Rangers forward. Somewhere, Andre Roy and the voices in his head are having a laugh at what passes for a Tampa Bay enforcer this preseason:

Looking back at last season, Koci held his own in some fights but struggled in others -- including when he was split open by Chara. Maybe he had an off night against Orr. Or maybe he's now in that tier of pugilists that take more punishment than they hand out.

There have always been NHL jobbers. Guys like Jim Cummins or Shawn Antoski. Who are your favorites, and is Koci now one of them?

Related: Goons and Pugilism, Puck Videos

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39 Comments

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  1. Ben
    1. Posted by Ben Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    At first I was going to make a comment on how Orr kept his helmet on during the fight, which isn't right... but then as I watched, I realized that Koci only had one true swing... and although it appeared hit Orr's helmet, I don't think the removal of said helmet would have changed that outcome...
    Koci gets an A for effort, but a fail for substance.
  2. Andrew T
    2. Posted by Andrew T Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    are you insane? orr blasted him...and this coming from a Caps fan who hates both teams.
  3. Fred Poulin
    3. Posted by Fred Poulin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Koci reminds me of Tony Twist, the ex-Nordique who couldn't skate! I wonder why the Bolt didn't keep Konopka, who at least can play some hockey.
  4. Daniel S
    4. Posted by Daniel S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Nailz was scary Wysh. He was one tough inmate and came all the into the WWF to get back at the Big Boss Man for mistreating him. Does that sound like a jobber to you? He did beat Virgil after all. Poor Virgil; always a crowd favorite, never a winner...
  5. Bob
    5. Posted by Bob Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    The Lightning letting Roy go was a big mistake.Granted he wasnt one of the best fighters but he at least showed up.They need to get someone better than this if they plan on keeping guys like St Louis,Stamkos and Lecavalier healthy.
  6. Bob
    6. Posted by Bob Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    Number 3 Twist wasnt there for his skating.The guy was an animal.A fighter that cant skate and cant fight is useless and from what I have seen of Koci he is useless.This coming for a Lightning fan.
  7. Wyshynski
    7. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    RE: Tony Twist
    I'll say this: He was a ferocious fighter. And now he has, like, half of Todd MacFarlane's Spawn money, doesn't he?
  8. jimmy
    8. Posted by jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Tie Domi and Probert. Atleast they had some hockey skills.
  9. Michael
    9. Posted by Michael Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    I hope he gets blasted every time out, freaking goon is only out injure players with actual hockey skills (see Gonchar). He should join the roller derby. Bum.
  10. A Yahoo! User
    10. Posted by A Yahoo! User Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:23 am EDT

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    Can't wait to see Orr and Artyukhin. Not that R2 fights that much but it would be interesting.
  11. N. Y. NIGHTMARE
    11. Posted by N. Y. NIGHTMARE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    shalacking is right!! "bobby"'s got plent more where that came from this year baby!!!
  12. joshj
    12. Posted by joshj Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    dont give chara too much credit, kocci broke his nose in another fight just days before.
  13. Mazarin
    13. Posted by Mazarin Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    And Koci got Chara down to one knee. I've NEVER seen that.
    That being said, Koci was still just a no talent goon. A fun goon, but a goon just the same.
    I can't wait to see Greenop come of age and don the Indian Head.
  14. roadrunnerd51
    14. Posted by roadrunnerd51 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    He's the modern Scott Daniels or Nick Kypreos...willing to block punches with his face.
  15. El Sharko G
    15. Posted by El Sharko G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    not sure who was scarier, Tony twist was so roided up that he could probably bench press a brinks truck and scare the piss out of any mma fighter,or dan(john?) kordic who had more coke in his system than scarface mixed with those elephant roids when his heart finally imploded.and yes my heart goes out to virgil.
  16. Raskolnikov
    16. Posted by Raskolnikov Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:07 pm EDT

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    Adam Burish. Funny guy, but he gets pummeled every time.
  17. icenigel
    17. Posted by icenigel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    As said before, fighting Chara day or something like that after having his nose broken was dumb or brave, but definitely not disapoinment. And btw. his checking is solid, just ask Gonchar
  18. Ace
    18. Posted by Ace Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    Tony Twist wasn't that tough. I remember Francois Leroux pummeling him to a pulp.
    You're looking for a tough guy wannabe? How about Phil Crowe... anyone remember him?
  19. Ben M
    19. Posted by Ben M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    koci hasnt lost that many times. hes never been completely worked in a fight. he didnt even really get smoked in the chara fight. they both landed one big bomb simultaneously, and chara went to one knee. just so happens charas hit him in his nose that was broken 2 nights before. hes had even fights with boogaard and ivanans and parros, which are all probably in the top 5 fighters in the league
  20. El Sharko G
    20. Posted by El Sharko G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    Leroux musta hit him from behind-that was his m o.He was as much a coward as pepe Lemeiux but without the skills.The sharks had Link Gaetz one scary mofo just could'nt hold his liquor to save his life.Laroque is a scam he just has better balance than the next guy not heavy hands-the only way he would beat Boogard was throw him on the ice so the refs would jump in.
  21. phucknsic
    21. Posted by phucknsic Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    www.hockeyfights.com, greatest site ever!
  22. phucknsic
    22. Posted by phucknsic Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    Great fight orr! lets go rangers!
  23. Juris
    23. Posted by Juris Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    Ivanans and Boogard are scary, but I have a great respect for Carcillo. And I agree Burrish is fun to watch his a$$ handed to him each time ;)
  24. rwl060
    24. Posted by rwl060 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Zack Stortini is a classic NHL jobber, at least right now. Maybe he'll learn how to fight at some point ... He's got the heart, to be sure.
  25. BobtheT
    25. Posted by BobtheT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    Is there a worse fighter in the league than Todd Fedoruk? I'd wager even Koci could take 'im

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