Sharks, Panthers Goaltenders Drop Gloves For First Nhl Goalie Fight Since 2020

Tensions were flaring during nan Sharks crippled against nan Panthers connected Monday nighttime arsenic Florida welcomed Matthew Tkachuk backmost into nan lineup for nan first clip each season.

During nan 3rd period, frustrations boiled over, and a skirmish collapsed retired down San Jose’s net. Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic didn’t discarded immoderate clip getting involved, arsenic he entered nan fray successful bid to spell aft Evan Rodrigues, who kicked disconnected nan skirmish pinch a inexpensive changeable to nan backmost of Vincent Desharnais.

After seeing Nedeljkovic successful nan mix, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky decided he wouldn’t conscionable guidelines by arsenic a spectator. He took disconnected down nan halfway of nan crystal and went consecutive aft nan opposing goaltender, shedding his gloves successful nan process. Bobrovsky barreled into Nedeljkovic, and nan 2 proceeded to exchanged blows astatine halfway crystal pinch nan crowd roaring down them.

It’s uncommon that NHL officials let nan goalies to get into it for illustration that, but erstwhile Bobrovsky charged crossed nan ice, nary 1 was stopping him. Nedeljkovic happily obliged his challenge, and nan 2 threw a flurry of punches earlier hitting nan ice.

According to Sportsnet, it was nan first NHL goalie conflict since 2020 during nan Battle of Alberta erstwhile Oilers’ Mike Smith and Flames’ Cam Talbot squared up pinch 1 another.

Players from nan chair were perfectly loving it. Members of nan Sharks’ young core, including prima guardant Macklin Celebrini, were grinning ear-to-ear while watching nan goaltenders scrap.

Fighting is commonplace successful nan NHL, but erstwhile nan 2 goaltenders get involved, players and fans alike measurement backmost and bask nan show.

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