It’s not a full moon and it’s no longer Friday the 13th so there must have been something in the Gatorade on Saturday night in the NHL.
Because there was absolutely no chill, anywhere. Here are highlights from three of the wildest moments from around the league:
1. PREDATORS-JETS FILL THE BOX
The Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets got stir-crazy after Nashville broke open the game, with a 5-0 lead in the third period. When Mark Scheifele coyly put the puck into the Predators’ net after a whistle, a line scrum ensued and the refs sent a few players to the penalty box.
More than a few.
In fact, 90 minutes in penalties were assessed in the third period alone.
2. JONATHAN TOEWS FIGHTS…AGAIN
Earlier, in St. Louis, Jonathan Toews threw a questionable hit on David Backes that caught him near or on the head. Soon afterwards, Backes threw his own questionable hit on Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson, sparking a fight between the two captains.
You heard correctly, a captain fight.
It was the second time in the past 10 days Toews engaged in fisticuffs. If you’ll recall, he also dropped the gloves against New Jersey’s Adam Henrique.
Call him Captain Very Serious.
3. JOHN SCOTT FIGHTS, SHANE DOAN GETS EJECTED
Over in Columbus, John Scott did a thing.
Scott Hartnell may have embarassed the enforcer a bit when he knocked him over off a faceoff (slew foot?). Scott proceeded to run around for the rest of the shift, ending it by punching Scott Hartnell — who didn’t drop his gloves — to the ice.
In the aftermath, Doan — who scored his first goal 20 years ago today, according to the Coyotes — was ejected from the game after arguing with referees.
What the heck got into these guys?
