The St. Patrick's Day Massacre

Mar. 17, 1991 - St. Louis @ Chicago.
Adam Oates on the 2nd period brawl -- "It was weird. I was pretty scared, I'll tell you that. Let me rephrase that. Terrified. Grimson, Manson and Peluso and they had 10 bodies on the ice, too." Taken from The Hockey News.
The brawl, featuring Dave Manson vs. Scott Stevens.

[@Losrandir]

"Phantom of the opera" and "Godfather"... the organist is truly a showman

[@Lynchfan88]

Lol Matt Newman. I just heard it now and saw your comment.

[@IDF1987]

same organist they have today, Frank Pellico.

[@tomitstube]

lol, could have done better, was "kung foo fighting" out yet? maybe "saturday nights alright for fightin" by elton john.

[@striker045]

This comment made my day Go hawks

[@jjaa6157]

Really?

[@tucsonia]

Love how the hockey announcer instantly segues into a blow-by-blow boxing announcer once the gloves are dropped.

[@AlexSmith-wd3wb]

I love Foley's commentary. Most announcers today would be like "Someone needs to stop this madness" and he just calls it the way it is.

[@janettemcclelland2959]

I'm surprised Foley's never done boxing blow-by-blow commentary. He would be pretty good.

[@CRAZYWILDMAN49]

greatest announcer ever.

[@janettemcclelland2959]

***** I've only gotten to hear him a handful of times...I grew up listening to Bob Miller on Kings broadcasts in LA.

[@CRAZYWILDMAN49]

He's still here and just as good. HOFer! Just sucks for us hawk fans...well and everyone else when we are all forced to hear Emrick every year for the playoffs. Hey at least Eddie O is there with them. :)

[@janettemcclelland2959]

Alex Smith Pierre is awful. I have to mute him.

[@robertilardi6290]

I miss old time hockey. I love how the organist never stops playing it's awesome.

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

lol dedication

[@jimd4104]

@@r3tr0actiongamer24 Playing the theme song for The Godfather...lol

[@morrison1405]

I quite watching when the Hartfort Whalers left town. And I'm from Milwaukee!

[@georgehahn3690]

Remember one hockey fight where the organist played the theme for Star Wars

[@user-hs4tq7hv1z]

When hockey meant something

[@marrapz]

godfather theme on the organ, priceless

[@stewartsmall6063]

The NHL needs to let the organists play more. That's just classic for hockey.

[@fhotzel]

It was criminal that they didn't figure out a way to install that organ into United Center. It was the largest theater organ ever built, a magnificent Barton instrument.

[@man-bagdammit2297]

Hockey in the good ol' days. Penalties were penalties! Players settled scores on the ice. No 2nd ref. Massively entertaining for fans.

[@ArmyJames]

The bad old days

[@TheKuLeR]

Stevens part of the reason there are 2 refs now

[@martym.6274]

I used to dislike the fighting, but seeing how the NHL has watered down the game, I miss it. I equate it to the invasion of the European players that softened the league.

[@sfcd4757]

Its almost unwatchable these days

[@scottinnh88]

8 years later hockey players are being forced to wear rainbow trans shit.

[@JusCuz410]

The fans definitely got their money's worth.

[@remolalougarou6512]

JusCuz410 and then some . lol

[@John-qt9bi]

Yes we did! Hockey was much better back in the ‘90’s and early 2000’s

[@CrossenLines]

What a civil interaction between coaches during a brawl.

[@jonasnight]

In todays game you would never see a lineup like Chicago's or St Louis had on that night. 7-8 tough guys per squad. The good old days!

[@ken33461]

When people ask me what was the most memorable sporting event I ever attended, this is it. The atmosphere was incredible. Wondering if this game took a lot out of both teams as they fizzled in the playoffs a month later.

[@Fuzy2K]

"...And now the two *nets* are fighting it out! They've got the puck pinned down and the sticks are at each other's throats! This is the craziest hockey game I've ever seen!"

[@ghhtdesfh]

I remember this game like it was yesterday! Thanks for the post, this REALLY takes me back!

[@302PoweredMustang]

the two behind the net need a room .....lol

[@squ33ksm]

I thought the same thing! Looked like they were loving not fighting. lol

[@AnguirusTCG]

302PoweredMustang They are having too much fun there.

[@CrociatoAzzurro]

The old Chuck Norris Division of the 80's/ early 90's NHL.

[@user-hs4tq7hv1z]

Chuck Norris division lol

[@Bart848]

Old time hockey,I miss these days

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Bizzare seeing Stevens in a Blues uniform. Great fight.

[@AEMoreira81]

He spent just one season there...went to the Devils as compensation for their signing of Brendan Shanahan.

[@khav11]

imagine if shanahan and stevens stuck around in st louis

[@bcm1013]

The Chuck Norris division at its best. I miss the old days of Chicago Stadium and the Arena too. So many great memories of Blues-Blackhawks. Blues fan all my life but always respected the Blackhawks and loved the rivalry. BTW, Jeff Brown was the softest little girl on D...hence his hugfest behind the goal.

[@goldenarm2080]

bcm1013 I’m a blues fan to

[@mr.blackhawk142]

@@goldenarm2080 TO where???

[@thebaconmanthony]

@@mr.blackhawk142 TO THE STANLEY CUP BITCH!

[@thebaconmanthony]

@Matt James Just admit you once probably said "the Blues will never win a cup" and now that we have you say "only one cup". It's only been a year since our cup anyway and you guys are already calling it a fluke. It took you guys 3 years to get your second modern one, so just be patient. We shall most likely go on another deep playoff run again.

[@thebaconmanthony]

You didn't have to write a full essay but whatever. First, I've argued with countless Chicago fans online who've said "you'll never win a cup" and "2019 was a fluke". It depends on the fan but most Blackhawks fans I encounter say that. It wasn't guaranteed that we'd win a cup because we could've moved to another city like when we almost moved to Saskatoon. I never said we would get 3, I'm saying we will have a similar run to 2019 or 2016. You're the one putting words in my mouth because I never once said we would surpass you. We were contenders last year but the break screwed us up. You're the one that seems butthurt because you wrote a 10 page essay about it, and it wasn't even a good essay at that lol

[@andyr1313]

I remember this season (90-91). The NHL was on SportsChannel America, and it seemed like every game was a full-scale brawl with the Blues, Blackhawks, and North Stars- this is when I became a fan of Pat Foley's announcing style- kinda like a volcano about to erupt...

[@MultiEviscerator]

When men and society understood the prophetic words of Thin Lizzy's song The Boys are Back, "the drink will flow and blood will spill, and if the boys wanna fight, you better let 'em".

[@FriesIsExtra]

This was a WAR

[@aydengaughan7327]

Love how he took him out to center ice for the 1v1

[@russ99a]

Probably the best St. Patrick’s day ever. This day the Chicago South Side Irish parade was held on the actual St. Patrick’s Day, for those not in the know, we usually start drinking well before noon, then go to the parade, drink more. Finally when the parade was over, we’s usually retreat to our parents’ for some corned beef and cabbage to cut the booze, then go out after as well. So afterwards at the bar, they were playing this game. Needless to say the whole place went ballistic. I think that was a multi-day hangover. Lol

[@justafanintexas7913]

The South Side Irish crowd ruined St. Pat's Day because they couldn't be in charge of everything on that day - pure and simple. So, they had their "own" celebration.

[@deeziiklyer8027]

Easily one of the best hockey fights of all time

[@tackettman123]

Went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out ;D

[@jaymoon5906]

Manson destroyed the king of the cheap shots

[@justafanintexas7913]

You haven't many fights then.

[@mhache86]

we need more of this today.

[@davidgoodrich1258]

This is when hockey was fun to watch.

[@premiumdude8353]

moron. it still is.

[@rn69x]

We were at this game in the 2nd balcony at the blue line. This whole episode was in response to the Blues having 8 guys on the ice during a 'line change' beating the hell out of Larmer and Roenick. Keenan didn't take that crap from anyone and sent his tough guys to do more of the same. Only difference is the Blackhawks didn't gang up on Hull, they went after the Blues' fighters.

[@jakedude11]

i remember when i watched my first hockey game, there were like 6 fights and i got so worked up i thought i was a ufc fighter...do note i was like 7 or 8

[@bobyates3992]

You gotta love Pat Foley & Dale Tallon. the best duo EVER.

[@IDF1987]

+Bob Yates wee-knee

[@patrickgray1438]

+Ben Lol classic Go Hawks!!!

[@justafanintexas7913]

No, that honor goes to Lloyd Pettit - by himself.

[@billyhollister8768]

@@justafanintexas7913 Damn a Lloyd Petitt acknowledgement! You made my day with that one. Guys like me who came up here in CHICAGO, tuning in to HAWKS home games on the radio with the late, great petitt on the play by play, can relate. Absolutely loved the way he called fights. Absolutely loved his signature call, "A SHOT AND A GOAL!"

[@justafanintexas7913]

@@billyhollister8768 - And we lost Pettit because asshole, Jack Brickhouse, wouldn't let Pettit call the Game of The Week on CBS on Sundays when that was getting started. So Pettit packed his bags and left WGN.

[@TheToolatefrozen]

This is old time hockey. Love it!

[@phazontea]

2:41 the greatest love story ever told

[@massidrumsss67]

You got me bro! i’m laughing so hard!😂😂😂😂🤣

[@lukebhawk2617]

Those two laying down behind the net😂😂

[@jisakoff]

This was back in the day.. the Blues and Blackhawks HATED each other. I remember another game that year, they played the theme from 'Phantom of the Opera' during another line brawl. The box score was about 4 inches long next day. It was such a classic I cut it out and hung it on my wall at work. And I'm a Flyers fan!

[@johngore7744]

I’m a 62 year old Montrealer and I miss bench clearing brawls. We always figured it was part of the game lol. I played as a kid from 6 to 19 years old and we were allowed checking and hitting but not fighting. I could get quite rough. And you knew all the other players. The beast fighting teams of my (1970s) era as a fan were the Bruins ( Bean town Bullies) and The Flyers (Broad Street Bullies ) we lived and breathed hockey as kids and when we weren’t playing on our teams we were outside at the local rink every night supper. You could hear the sound of the pucks hitting the boards from your front door so you head over for a game of pick up. Good times.

[@lynchie137]

Stevens versus Manson at centre ice in a fight to the death..... Not really. But still a pretty damn good scrap

[@turboplazz]

+lynchie137 manson got the victory but Stevens is a Hall of famer and he crippled many who came across the middle with their head down. ....Lindros being the most famous victim.

[@lynchie137]

turboplazz That was a brutal hit for sure.

[@mattshinde3614]

Whether you like fighting or hate it, you can't help but admire how they took it away from the main brawl and to center ice. It's like they mutually decided "Alright, if we're gonna do this...we're gonna do this right. Center ice. One on one. Like men." ...Granted, Stevens is probably regretting that decision after Manson got the better of him, but hey, can't say they didn't scrap it out as fairly as hockey fights can get.

[@bbmtge]

@@mattshinde3614 The notion that Stevens would regret fighting Manson is ridiculous. Stevens landed as many as Manson and Stevens was never hurt by any player on a fight. Tough as nails and a top talent unlike Manson.

[@mattshinde3614]

@@bbmtge That was comic sarcasm. I'm fairly certain that they were both eager to pummel each other, even if one ultimately has to lose.

[@JohnDoe-ks9xx]

Huge respect for the team members keeping extra players away from the 2 fighting. Let em settle the beef. True sportsmanship 😂

[@fcoutts]

Good to see someone teach Stevens a lesson

[@Ericjr2525]

I love how the ref and Keith Brown are holding the Grim Reaper. No one wants Stu to get loose. Haha.

[@Xrage.]

ahhhh, the good ol days when you could leave the bench to brawl, got to love it

[@KennethTrueman]

Love The Godfather theme music playing in the background.

[@icehog3]

I was at this game, it was the second game of back-to-back home-and home games on March 16th and 17th, 1991, in St Louis and Chicago respectively. (I was in St Louis for the first game too). Teams were within a couple points of each other that weekend which saw the Hawks win both games. Game 1 featured another brawk with Dirtk Graham suckerpunching Stevens. It was an awesome weekend of hockey, with the highlights being the Hawks gaining 4 points and Manson beating the tar out of Stevens.

[@scottinnh88]

Thanks man I was 11 years old so I didn’t see this game live. I am a bruins fan and watched my team lose to Edmonton in 88-89 We couldn’t score against Bill Ranford them finals. I miss old hockey.

[@laughtoohard9655]

As a Freshman in college this happened in our very first game. Our trainers wore skates. One of my teammates was down in the corner from a dirty hit. The trainers jumped the boards to help him and grabbed a guy from the opposing team. Their bench emptied and my coach just said, "GO", and it was on. The only bench empty brawl in my career.

[@itistwinsanity]

Wow i have never seen a full scale team hockey fight. That was awesome

[@AshFOB1995]

the background music works so well with intensity between the teams! :P

[@steveburtonomaha]

I like how Manson went after Stevens when he saw there was a two on one so he could even the odds. A good honor fight for Mason. A good fight for the right reason.

[@oileriderfan]

Good old fashioned hockey, I LOVE IT!!!

[@lolo27234]

Love the goalie just standing there like “uhh what do I do”

[@scottcrawford1104]

Imagine how much attention and affection the league would garner if this happened in 2021

[@littleslean]

"steven's getting everything he deserved" love the call. Not sure how many commentators these days would state an opinion like that (aside from Cherry)

[@Lil_Vilkas]

25 year anniversary comin' up! #SheSaidMyBoyItsDagger

[@jahziyatheexpediametlifekf7257]

Now 30th Anniversary.

[@Broadwaymungo]

"The Phantom of the Opera" theme drop in by Frank Pellico at the Old Stadium Organ = Perfection.

[@jjaa6157]

Jimmy's mom: How was the game, honey? Jimmy: Well, it was more of a fight night that was invaded by a hockey game.

[@billbeliakoff5589]

Chicago Stadium had a smaller rink than other stadiums because it was built before there was a regulation size. So players got under each other's skin easily. I'm surprised that fights like this didn't happen there more often.

[@lordrayden3045]

Yeah it had less center ice

[@GooBanana]

Gotta love how tough Chicago could be when they have 11 guys on the ice to St. Louis' 5.

[@alitlweird]

OMG! I TOTALLY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED! I WASN'T THERE AND DID NOT SEE IT ON TV! WHAT A CRAZY FIGHT THAT IS NOT AT ALL A PART OF MY MEMORY!!!

[@wulfio]

closing in on the ending of probably the best era of hockey right here.

[@jneveau85]

That was pretty schweet. I love this fight! I remember my dad turning this fight off because I was only 5 at the time, and he thought it was too violent. lol

[@tzzlite]

Hockey was SO much better back then! More scoring AND more fighting! Even Gretzky said the game has changed DRASTICALLY!! And NOT for the better!!

[@jamiebriscoe6445]

Great announcing. Always great to see Stevens get his bell rung. The guy was king of the cheap-shots. He could never handle himself with the real fighters.

[@swolfdo]

I love how the organ just keeps on playing jolly music

[@buddmannable]

If you listen to the St Louis broadcast the announcer talks about how Charlie kept "Back peddling" from Stevens...........Guess that would be right up until the time that Charlie broke his face.

[@MrFoxPredator]

Man that sport was manly back then now it's allot of rules and shit

[@MrFoxPredator]

Haha yeah :P

[@Gmanshuckamuck]

Player safety above all else.

[@MrFoxPredator]

lol

[@toddblack5035]

+Jared Abbate I miss those days!

[@sandysexton6570]

Jared Abbate ... That's why there's the phrase, "the old days." The Islanders were my favourite team for many, many years. I think the best series I ever watched was the 1977 Canadiens-Islanders. I was so impressed, I really hoped there would be a rematch. The Islanders were my favourite team; however, along their way to their Stanley Cups, they knocked off my other favourite teams -- Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Vancouver; then they did me a huge favour by wiping Edmonton in 1983! I think the Islanders may have beat the Canadiens in 1993 but one of their top players got hurt by a gutless play by one of the Washington (if I remember correctly) players at the end of their series.

[@szqsk8]

Damn! Nothing like this happens at the games I go to. I love how the organ music keeps playing while the dudes are fighting. You gotta love Ice Hockey!!

[@KeithGehrke-xt8wc]

The Norris Division was a lot of fun back in those days. watching the Hawks at the Chicago stadium was classic all the time. This night with two games Back to Back where Crazy. Go Hawks !

[@autoimmuneefficiency5397]

Never a dull moment with the black hawks

[@detonator2112]

Gary Buttman watched this. But he had an extra tampon in his pocket. Just in case.

[@IDF1987]

+detonator2112 Gary Bettman cried when he heard it was Foley calling it

[@JorgeCat78]

To think he was still working for the NBA at this time - this is the pre-commissioner days of the NHL

[@greglanphier4574]

JorgeCat78

[@ryan12378]

was is in St louis or Chicago

[@Bart848]

Ryan Starr Chicago stadium

[@daveh9803]

I miss the old time hockey - St Louis v Pittsburgh in the 1970s - both benches cleared, every player on the ice (not in the locker rooms) tied up with opposition, most of them going. 30 minutes ongoing with no video to review. Total of 40 minutes before play resumed.

[@chumbersdee]

@coffeeairplane I love it! Back when the Kings played at the Forum, Joe Tripoli, the organist, would always play during a fight, usually the Rocky theme.

[@wzystkocokham7333]

Yea Stevens got owned this time, Right Lindros? The Organ is Playing Godfather Theme...

[@ABE23456]

Today they would have fired the organist. Was Awesome!

[@Heverly57]

Simply amazing

[@peterjohnson617]

great stuff thanks

[@dbn52]

I am not sure any of those who commented below have a clue .1. Manson landed way more punches( at least twice as many).2. Stevens was cut. The announcer is not lying. If you Mr. Bonter knew anything about the announcer you would know that Pat Foley will tell you if the Hawks suck or lost a fight. He is far from a homer. all of you morons below need hockey 101. Stevens himself said he lost the fight when interviewed by the wonderful Blues announcer John Kelly. My first Hawk game was 1959 I was 7. I have witnessed lots of wild games from fights in the stands that where so crazy the game was stopped and the players watched to a Stanley cup final that had fog 2 feet off the ice. Hawks lost to those damn Canadians. Any game against the Blues is worth the price of admission and then some.

[@janettemcclelland2959]

Foley's in the Hall of Fame. John Kelly will eventually be there too.

[@dbn52]

Janette. I loved listening to John's father Dan Kelly when he did the NHL national telecast a long time ago. He was the one who called the Bruins cup winning goal" Goal Orr Bobby Orr". He is in the hall of fame so John will be joining his Dad.

[@janettemcclelland2959]

Yes he is. Dan was the first NHL announcer I remember hearing as a kid. Stu Nahan was his sidekick for a moment on the network before going to LA and becoming an icon(the "Rocky" movies,et al). Dan died too soon. John is following in his footsteps as a great announcer.

[@janettemcclelland2959]

+Janette McClelland Indeed. Us Kings fans have been spoiled with Hall of Fame announcers. Jiggs McDonald,Bob Miller (off the air right now after heart surgery),Nick Nickson. They helped teach hockey to Southern California. We are all the better for it. John Kelly will be in the Hall soon . Bet on it.

[@stevedrake604]

Peluso loses. Again! The Blues were shorthanded here because Kimble, Chase and Snepsts were all in the locker room with game misconducts when Keenan sent out the shock troops. Man, these two teams were loaded with tough guys and they were really good skill teams too. Even Chicago's "smaller" guys like Thomas, Graham and Gilbert were really tough. Thanks Bettman - you piece of shit! We'll never see hockey with this passion and emotion again.

[@CaterpillarMaki]

Oh man, Thomas was a fucking mean machine back in those days.

[@Daniel_Delayne]

yeah, one of the most underrated power forwards

[@Albie1960]

@FullMetalSatomi Hockey WAS the best sport on the planet. Unfortunately, we will never see a game like this again. Just great to have the old videos when it was REAL hockey.

[@joseperez1085]

Manson beat him like a drum.

[@bbmtge]

Stevens landed the first punch and just as many as Manson. Manson always threw wildly, missing most of the time. You're just another idiot who gets excited at thrown punches versus landed punches. Neither player was hurt.

[@peterlandry5773]

Scott Stevens cross check from behind... Sounds about right.

[@jutzisr]

@TheSavageMusicGroup I wish the Minnesota North Stars were still flying! I grew up watching Dino Cicarrelli play.

[@BigBusDream]

the anouncer and organ player really elevated this video

[@stclemmons1969]

Stevens got mullet-ed. Mulleted guys have to be tough to willingly rock the mullet.

[@IDF1987]

I love seeing Scot Stevens get his ass kicked.

[@showmejim7365]

Didn't happen often!

[@splitshot71]

Ben I bleed blue but have to agree with you.

[@mr.devil9577]

He held his own let's not act like he didnt get a few licks in o his opponent

[@battmutler]

Hey he mighta got lit up but he won that fight

[@danielblockandco.2260]

@@showmejim7365 Yeah cause he barely fought lmao

[@davewestner]

Kudos to the organist for playing a soundtrack to the brawl

[@jtsnowman66]

The music suits it all so perfectly, lol

[@TheOldTapeArchive]

Home teams wearing white...the way it should be.

[@joseperez1085]

Loved Charly Manson, loved to see Stevens get whooped...

[@canamrugby]

Weird to see the glass behind the bench so low even in the early 90's.

[@wimbusht]

With just the audio, it sounds like a boxing match. awesome.

[@DoinThupidThings]

Ever since Finns and Swedes came into the NHL it is more like women's figure skating

[@dbn52]

+DoinThupidThings You say stupid things to. The toughest guy on the Hawks is a Swede(Hjalmarsson.) Do you think after the first round of the playoffs you would say that now?

[@lilstiick]

Look up Ulf Samuelsson. He literally ended peoples career. So i guess the yanks got beat up by figure skating women?

[@jameshorton7496]

What about Doug Murray? One tough Swede who was never afraid to drop the gloves. And years ago, in the 70's, Detroit Red Wings had Thommie Bergman, 6ft 3 in d-man who would fight occasionally and did fairly well.

[@GreenMoonGirl]

DoinThupidThings But the Finns and Swedes are the hardest hitters and the best fighters. Put an American in a Finnish league for a day and watch them wind up in the hospital.

[@robertbonter1190]

"Stevens got the worst of that," the lying announcer said.

[@gtrefghuk]

Manson got a couple more in , but it wasn't a beating like the announcer said. They both did good.

[@jamesgray7064]

Stevens got cut. In a fight othwise considered a draw, he got the worst.

[@ogrebattle22763]

Steven did not get the worst of that AT ALL... a cut does not mean a loss fuck this announcer...

[@freedmike1394]

Manson was a damn good fighter. Stevens held his own. It would have been a different story if it'd been Manson skating through the neutral zone with his head down. Stevens would have destroyed him.

[@ThunderChick23]

Stevens normally is tough as fuck but it's that Blues jersey bringing him bad luck!

[@SuperBlackhawksfan88]

@SuperBlackhawksfan88 I had the bass too high, WHOOPS!!

[@robbiemac13]

Oh man, when “The Godfather theme” started playing in the arena as the carnage breaks up… classic.

[@mcjpackersfan]

I love how during this fight, you can hear music from the Godfather being played.

[@CynicalRaver]

Love the Goalie just standing there like... whats happening.

[@TheRisenSoldier]

0:11 Goalie: "Damn. Forgot my popcorn."

[@PUREpowderIQ07]

this is awesome!

[@jjhawksjj]

Charlie is the man. Love me some old time hockey!

[@quincee33]

@doogwood Did Tony Twist play for the Blues?

[@WWYD0]

Love how all the good old hockey fights sound like title fights because of the commentators

[@Lynchfan88]

Wow, 25 years ago, this was epic even back then.

[@Roudy1331]

I have to say that 0:35 - 0:45 is too damn funny! The goalie is just looking around watching everybody fight.

[@Mike-mn9qe]

"That's cute" - Good Friday Massacre