Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has stated that he is not interested in engaging in a goalie fight during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, should St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington be looking for one.
During Game 1 between the Jets and Blues, which Winnipeg won 5-3 on Saturday night, tensions rose in the final minute, leading to misconduct penalties for nine players from both teams.
In the second scrum near the Jets` net, Binnington, known for not avoiding confrontations, appeared to move out of his net but then retreated before joining the altercation.
Following the game, Hellebuyck, a two-time Vezina Trophy recipient, was directly asked if he believed Binnington was seeking a fight.
“A goalie fight in the playoffs would be dumb,” Hellebuyck responded. “That would just be dumb.”
Binnington was not questioned about his intentions after the game. Goalie fights in the playoffs are rare occurrences.
The last instance of playoff goalie fight dates back to May 3, 1997, when Garth Snow of the Philadelphia Flyers and Steve Shields of the Buffalo Sabres fought during a line brawl in Game 1 of their second-round series. Philadelphia won that series in five games but was later swept in the Stanley Cup Final by the Detroit Red Wings.
For those interested, footage of that historic goalie fight is available online.
