I grew up a Blackhawks fan and saw my first NHL game on a trip to No Cal. I was sitting 4 rows behind the penalty box, and this clip took place right in front of me.
The Sharks were getting shut out (they DID get shut out) and things got a little chippy and McSorley came over the boards for the face off. Bob Probert was a Blackhawk then, but he was injured. So, when this young kid Simpson got the job of squaring off with the man who was, imo, the baddest enforcer of his generation, I thought I was going to see my boy get his face completely rearranged up close and personal.
I felt a rush of fearful adrenaline as the Tank came alive for their one sure thing of the night...a McSorley win. Sometimes things don't turn out as expected.
10 years later, I find hockeyfights.com. As I watched this clip for the first time, I had the rare experience of realizing that one of the best live sporting moments in my life was actually better than I had remembered.
Cheers, all.
Reid Simpson vs Marty McSorley, Jan 29, 1998 - Hawks vs Sharks - hockeyfights.com