This photo is smoldering with sex appeal. (Photo via welshhockeyfan)

A few weeks ago, Mike Ribeiro got in his first NHL fight– against Brad Marchand. It was a site to behold: the teams’ two tiniest players wildly throwing haymakers at — or maybe just near– each other. The bout was more cute than vicious, and on Thursday night we got another adorable dust-up a lot like it.

With a a minute left in the third period and the Caps clutching to a 2-1 lead, John Erskine shoved the living shit out of Eric Staal, just to let him know that he didn’t appreciate the Canes’ captain swinging his stick at him like he was Chris Davis or something. Staal pushed back, and then all 10 players on the ice converged in an sweaty swarm of hockey hate.

Photo credit: Evan Vucci

There were headlocks. There were punches. And then Marcus Johansson entered the fray, and it got even nastier. (I can’t believe I just typed that.) Johansson manhandled Jeff Skinner, who was teaming up with Jordan Staal to pick on John Carlson. Mojo isolated and retaliated.

Not so neutral now, eh? Wait, that’s Switzerland.

Johansson received two minutes for roughing and the respect of every Capitals fan in the world.

Watch yourself, Skinner!

Dustin Stevenson and Aaron Schmit settle their differences with their fists. (Video via Suzanne K.)

On Saturday, during the third and final scrimmage of the Caps’ Development Camp, the prospects turned the physicality up notch in front of a capacity crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. There were three fights, each of them featuring a different combatants.

In the first period, 2009 sixth-round draft pick Garrett Mitchell got in his third throw-down of the week, challenging Group B’s Mike Bovin after a rough run. The two traded a few punches before Mitchell lost his balance and were separated by officials.

In the second stanza, Dustin Stevenson — a 6’5” behemoth — got in his second fight of camp and did so with a bit of flair, bending over and chucking his helmet through his legs before engaging Aaron Schmit. Stevenson got the upper-hand of the altercation, despite absorbing several heavy shots from Schmit at center ice.

Finally, in the third, ‘Dirty’ Danick Paquette looked for blood after being hit in open ice by Karl Stollery (video can be seen at 8:17 here). The fight, however, was a hugfest as neither landed any good punches.

Below the jump, check out my photos from all the bouts.

First Period: Garrett Mitchell (White) vs. Mike Boivin (Red)

Garrett Mitchell goes after Mike Boivin after being knocked to the ice.

Second Period: Dustin Stevenson (White) vs. Aaron Schmit (Red)

Hike!

Third Period: Danick Paquette (White) vs. Karl Stollery (Red)

Paquette initiates the bout after taking a hit from Stollery.

It might have taken a long 34 days, but Matt Cooke has finally paid an exacting price for his gutless hit on Marc Savard. For those who wanted real retribution, tonight you got it in the form of two right crosses from Atlanta’s Evander “Holyfield” Kane that knocked Cooke the fudge out. CLICK CLICK BOOM.

Even though lead NHL Disciplinarian Colin Campbell may not be adequately policing the sport, do know that the Hockey Gods are always willing and able to lend a hand when needed.

Thanks to HockeyFights.com for the video.