It didn't last long. But it was intense while it lasted, and a little eye-opening given the combatants.
And Jeff Skinner and Pat Dwyer quickly apologized to each other after it was over.
Late in the Canes' practice today at Raleigh Center Ice, the players were split into twosomes for a "battle drill." Skinner and Dwyer were fighting for the puck in front of the net, trading pushes and shoves, when things escalated into a glove-pawing skirmish between the two forwards.
Teammates jumped in quickly -- Brandon Sutter the first to arrive -- to separate Skinner and Dwyer, who were trying to land a few punches. Order was restored and Skinner stayed on the ice well after practice ended. He then came into the locker room and immediately sought out Dwyer to shake hands.
"It's not because I don't like him," Skinner said. "Everything's all right. It's just a tough drill there at the end. It's not something you want to do every practice but it happens every once in a while. You don't look for it but sometimes it happens.
"I maybe could have reacted a little differently but he's a competitive guy."
"It's going to happen in practices like that. Stuff like that happens," Dwyer said. "It shows guys care and are battling. Emotions get away from guys and we've already talked about it and there's nothing to it, really."
Dwyer and Skinner both said the dust-up showed that the Canes, while last in the NHL East, still believe good things can happen with 25 games left. This is not a team, they said, counting down the days until the end of the season.
"Guys care. It shows no one is going through the motions and collecting paychecks," Dwyer said. "Hopefully we can carry this into tomorrow's practice and it can go on from there. No one here is ready to count us out."
Added Skinner, "Guys are working hard in practice, showing they care."
Several players were off the ice today for a "maintenance day" -- Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Bryan Allen, Chad LaRose, Tim Gleason. Forward Drayson Bowman, recalled Tuesday from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), was not at practice. Canes coach Kirk Muller said Bowman's grandather had died.
Those who missed practice today missed the "show" at the end but will be sure to get a "blow-by-blow account" from the others, which should be interesting.
"Things like that happen," Muller said. "It shows there's a competitive level going on with guys and that's what we're trying to create here."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Skinner had 46 PIM last
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 21:58 — ctillSkinner had 46 PIM last season, 5th most among Canes forwards. This season his numbers extrapolate to 48 PIM on an 82-game basis, still several places down among forwards. That said, if he gets a reputation for being easily rattled, the opposition will jab him constantly.
Skinner & Competitiveness
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 15:47 — abramsdougI think players like Skinner have such inner fire that they play their best when on that emotional edge. Skinner is getting mauled, no doubt about it. It is one of the Hurricanes' team's gaps that they don't have a player like David Backes who can ride shotgun on Skinner's line. Skinner can handle himself quite well; but having another linemate who is both skilled and physical would be a significant help to Skinner.
These kinds of dust ups happen with regularity at the collegiate level for contact sports; then the teammates who were trying to pummel each other go have a hamburger. I would not want to ratchet down Skinner's emotional approach. In fact, I'd like to see more of that kind of take no prisoners' approach more often from all the Hurricanes players. I think Dwyer deserves credit as well. It would be easy and natural to defer to Skinner and to back down. The fact Dwyer was as engaged as Skinner in the moment of the battle speaks to his level of commitment and intensity.
Maybe Skinner needs to keep
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:44 — ivygirlMaybe Skinner needs to keep his emotions in check a bit better. He's been getting mauled on the ice during this stretch of games and has responded poorly - getting off his game, taking penalities. Let's hope today is an eye-opener for him and he keeps his discipline on the ice.
skinner
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:50 — chipalexander (author)Agree completely.
Another Agreement
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 23:34 — CanarseSkinner has acted like a baby lately. He's frustrated because every d-man takes away his space. Maybe if he looked for a pass now and then he might get some room. Too bad Dwyer didn't dot his eye.
Skinner reminds me of Cole in his 2nd/3rd year. He started getting attention from defensemen on the ice and started diving, whining to the refs, etc. Thankfully Skinner isn't taking as many penalties as Cole did. Cole grew out of it and so will Skinner.
+1
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 17:27 — sittler27Couldn't agree more. We jokingly referred him to as Royal Prince Jeffery in a prior post due to his seeming attitude of being untouchable.
All part of the territory and all part of the growing pains. He will adapt. Too good a talent not to. But he should be thankful he never had to pay his dues in the AHL. Lot's of grizzled old vets who never made the big show who really enjoy ragging on the phenoms.