PIM leaders battle it out!

[Scurvy 1,488]

On Monday the Warsaw Predators and Seattle Bears faced off in one of the nastiest games of the VHL season.  Fans in attendance were fortunate enough to see two gritty teams battle in a penalty filled game.  Oddly enough we also got to see a young rookie fight one of his idols. Growing up in Washington State and playing his junior hockey in Everett WA, just north of Seattle.  Brian Payne watched Seattle forward Vinny Detroit when he was signed in Seattle and tried to model his play as a gritty, nasty player who can perform his role and help the team win.   

 

In the second period the VHL’s two most penalized players, Seattle’s Vinny Detroit and Warsaw’s Brian Payne dropped the gloves.  At the 8:43 mark of the period Detroit went right at Payne and the two dropped the gloves in an epic battle that rivals the 2-minute McSorley vs Bob Probert fight almost two decades ago.  

 

The two traded punch after punch, both bleeding, and refusing to let refs jump in.  In the end the southpaw Payne got the decision, but it could have gone either way.  Detroit picked up the instigator penalty and was ejected which probably stopped a third period rematch.  

 

After the game we caught up with Payne who was sporting several cuts and bruises.  We asked what he thought about fighting a player he had once watched near his hometown just three years ago before his VHLM signing. 

 

“Well, it’s not every day you get to share the ice with such a good player and team.  Vinny will do anything for his team and wants to win. We had a good tilt for sure and I am sure he will come looking for a rematch. He’s fearless.” 

 

Everyone mark your calendar for the next installment between these two.