Booth and Richards settle things on the ice

Mike Richards hit David Booth with this questionable high hit to the face on October 24th, 2009. The hit by Richards cost the Florida Panthers forward 45 games and a shot at making the USA Olympic team. There was no additional disciple from the NHL on the hit by Richards and the Florida Panthers organization was too happy about that. Last night David Booth got some sweet revenge by fighting Mike Richards and having a great game on the score sheet. This is why I like the NHL they settle things on the ice like men.

David Booth wore the smile of satisfaction as he sat at his locker after tonight’s game. Not only did he have a goal and three assists, giving him six points the past two games, but he had them against the Flyers.
And he fought Mike Richards, the guy who dealt him a concussion with a controversial hit Oct. 24. The concussion kept Booth out 45 games and cost him the silver medal he would have gotten with a spot on the USA Olympic roster. His apology from Richards: a text message.

Booth did what I would have done.

It’s one thing to have your teammates stick up for you, which they did when the teams last played Dec. 21 in Philly. It’s another to not only do it yourself, but pay back Richards and the Flyers with a great offensive night.

That’s how you show you’re back.

Here’s what Booth said after the game about what went down with Richards 2:45 into the first period:

“That was kind of expected. I don’t really know what I’m doing when I fight,” Booth said. “But it was just a lot of…I don’t know what’s built up, but what could have been this year if you were playing, you think about that. But that’s behind me now. I don’t have to worry about that. I can just go out there and play and be free of this. I’m back to 100 percent.”

Booth added: “I just wanted to get it off my chest. It wasn’t cheap or anything. I just asked him if he wanted to and he was good enough to give me my shot. [Sun Sentinel]