There is only one metric that defines all star defensive pairings. Some might assume that assists are a key stat. And sure, assists are vital and the lifeblood of many teams. Some might figure that goals are important – we can’t put all the pressure on our forwards, right? WRONG. All that matters as a defensive pairing are the bone crushing fights that are applied to opposing players. As any hockey historian knows, any fight renders all decibel readers ineffective. I’ve even heard some never work again. This season, there have been two outstanding players on the Quebec City Citadelles that we have had to face (and fight) multiple times. Our guys are left bloody and battered by Boris Petrov mainly, but also by Yuuto Kira Cloudera Jr. Both have excellent +/- ratios, so whatever they are doing out on the ice is working. Boris led the league in fights and also tied for the lead in +/-. Sure, Boris had 122 penalty minutes, but who cares if the team is beating their opponents to a pulp? Still chipping in with 26 and 25 points respectively, this duo has earned by praise as one of the toughest combinations in the league.

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