Wetcoaster
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maurice richard challenged Howe during Howe's first visit to the Montreal Forum.Gordie Howe did have one very memorable fight with Leapin Lou Fontanato of the New York Rangers. Gordie was never an angel out on the ice and neither were any of the Red Wings of that era. It is somewhat amazing that hockey fans were still talking about that fight 30 and 40 years after it happend.The stuff of legends.
Larry Robinson in his era was considered one of the most physically punishing defenseman, both in terms of fighting and physical play. In his book, The Hammer, Dave Schultz of Broadway Bully fame more or less admits he lost his first NHL fight to Larry Robinson.
Bad mistake. The fight lasted one punch and Richard was able to throw 'em with the best. As noted at the Hockey Hall of Fame website:
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080...?mem=p197204&type=Player&page=bio&list=#photoAnother tough star, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, challenged the rookie with a shove and a few angry words in Howe's first game in Montreal. Howe knocked Richard out cold with one punch.
As a result of his one-sided fights early in his career no one challenged Howe for 9 seasons until Leapin' Louie Fontinato of the Rangers began to believe his own press clippings as the best fighter in the NHL. Big mistake and he would pay with his face courtesy of a series of devastating punches. His mangled mug was featured in a famous photo in Life Magazine in February 1959.
One of Mr. Hockey's records is safeThen there was the time ol' Gramps came to the aid of his son, Mark, when they played together in the World Hockey Association. A goon was on top of Mark, wailing away, and ignored Gordie's polite request that he let the lad up.
"When he didn't," said son, Marty, "Gordie reached down, stuck his fingers into his nostrils and pulled him off the ice. The guy's nose must have stretched half a foot."
The Spectator. Hamilton, Ont.: Mar 24, 1994.