Vasilevskiy and Swayman Clash in Stadium Series Outdoor Game
In a historic moment for the NHL, a goalie fight erupted during the Stadium Series outdoor game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. This unprecedented event took place on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Details of the Goalie Showdown
The incident unfolded in the second period when Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman reacted aggressively after Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel interfered with a covered puck. This led to Swayman throwing punches at Hagel, igniting a full-blown scrum on the ice.
Meanwhile, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy quickly realized the situation escalated and made his way to the scene. The two goalies met at the blue line, setting the stage for an unexpected fight.
The Fight
The confrontation began with both goalies removing their masks, which showcased their sportsmanship. Once they squared off, Vasilevskiy launched several strong left punches at Swayman before wrestling him down. This unique battle occurred with 8:59 left in the second period, while the Bruins held a 5-2 lead.
- Event: Stadium Series outdoor game
- Date: Sunday
- Location: Raymond James Stadium
- Score at time of fight: Bruins 5, Lightning 2
- Fight Time: 8:59 of the second period
Reactions from the Game
David Pastrnak, who was mic’d up during the game, enthusiastically cheered from the bench, exclaiming, “Oh yeah! Oh yeah, baby!” The excitement from the players and spectators emphasized the fight’s significance.
A New Trend in the NHL?
This fight was particularly noteworthy as it marked the second goalie fight in just two weeks. Prior to this incident, Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Nedeljkovic had their own confrontation during a game on January 19, effectively breaking a nearly six-year drought without such altercations. The last goalie fight before that occurred on February 1, 2020, between Cam Talbot and Mike Smith.
The resurgence of goalie fights has certainly garnered attention. Fans and players alike might enjoy this newfound trend in the NHL.
