A rare sight unfolded on the ice: two opposing players engaging in a fight directly from their respective benches.
During Game 3 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals on Friday, played before an electric crowd at the Bell Centre, a moment of classic, physical hockey erupted.
After the buzzer sounded to end the second period, with the Canadiens holding a 3-2 lead, players began heading towards their dressing rooms. However, their progress was halted by an unexpected event.
A full-team skirmish ignited right in front of the Capitals bench, with the action spilling over onto the bench itself.
Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and Capitals forward Tom Wilson singled each other out from the crowd, and their altercation continued onto the Washington bench after the door came open.
The two players were seen grappling just inches away from the Capitals coaching staff, with linesman Kyle Flemington positioned between them, attempting to restore order.
Following the chaotic incident, both Wilson and Anderson were assessed two-minute minor penalties for roughing, in addition to 10-minute misconduct penalties. Capitals forward Lars Eller and Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj also received two minutes for roughing.
Tensions between the Canadiens and Wilson had been palpable from the warm-ups, finally boiling over dramatically. Wilson was notably seen making a “crybaby” face towards the Canadiens players after the dust settled.
