Hockey can get intense, sometimes leading to fights between players or even whole teams. These fights are rare, but they get remembered by fans because of how wild they are and the reasons behind them. Here is a list of some of the ten best team fights in hockey ever!
1. 1978: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
The violence of this Easter Sunday match between the long-standing adversaries is well known. A clean check from youngster Rick Middleton of the Bruins on star defenseman Larry Robinson of the Canadiens set off a series of events. Sticks were used as weapons, punches were thrown, and even the supporters got involved. 17 players were suspended and given a total of 341 penalty minutes as a result of this brutal battle.
2. 2004: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators
There have never been more penalty minutes in a single game as in this heavyweight match (419). All season long, tensions had been building, and then Denis Gauthier of the Flyers’ questionable hit on rookie Zenon Konopka of the Senators lit the spark. Players from both benches, coaches, and even the goalies participated in the chaos which made it difficult for the linesmen to keep things under control. The Flyers’ standing as one of the league’s toughest teams was solidified by this altercation.
Also Read: Eight Ice Hockey Equipment Brands Manufacturer For Players
3. 1989: Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings
The intense fight between these two teams in the late 1980s was symbolized in this clash. The fight began during a previous playoff series when Joe Mullen, the main scorer for the Flames, took a cheap shot. The fight was rekindled during this regular-season encounter when the Red Wings’ Bob Probert checked on the Flames’ Doug Gilmour. In a matter of seconds, both teams engaged in a fight that demonstrated the rough style of hockey that was popular at the time.
Read More
4. 2010: Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Although not the longest fight, this one is important given the circumstances. Known for his composure, Canucks goalkeeper Roberto Luongo became unusually angry following a dubious hit on teammate Mason Raymond. A bench-clearing incident broke out when Luongo walked off the ice to face Cam Barker of the Blackhawks. This incident brought to light the emotions and strain that goalies deal with despite their seemingly lonely jobs.
5. 1996: Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
Patrick Roy, the goalie for the Avalanche, displayed his fiery personality during this fight. Roy became enraged after Red Wings’ Darren McCarty delivered a high check on teammate Uwe Krupp. With his gloves still on, he rushed off the ice and threw down the gauntlet to McCarty. When taken aback, McCarty obliged, and a quick but fierce fight broke out. Roy’s reputation as a tough fighter who wouldn’t think twice about standing up for his comrades was solidified by this bout.
Also Read: What is the Future of Ice Hockey in India and its growth?
6. 2012: Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins
This match revived animosity from the Stanley Cup Finals the year before, in which the Bruins prevailed. A controversial hit by the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton on the Canucks’ Alex Burrows early in the game led to a melee involving players from both benches. Fans began tossing objects and escalating the pandemonium as the intensity spread into the stands. This match perfectly captured the emotional hangover that sometimes follows an intense playoff series.
7. 2012: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Years of enmity between these close rivals culminated in this confrontation. A major hit by Joe Vitale of the Penguins on Danny Briere of the Flyers created the stage for a full-fledged fight. The officials found it difficult to keep their composure as both teams cleared their benches. This fight was a microcosm of the physical, heated battles that defined the Penguins-Flyers rivalry during that era.
8. 1987: Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
The “Great One” himself, Wayne Gretzky, was involved in this fight, which makes it noteworthy. Gretzky received a dubious cross-check from rookie Marty McSorley of the Kings, which prompted enforcer Dave Semenko of the Oilers to retaliate. There was a brief but fierce altercation that showed how far teams would go to keep their best players safe.
Also Read: The Top Ten Field Hockey Tournaments In The World
9. 2014: Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames
With 482 penalty minutes in one game that didn’t end in a brawl, this game has the unpleasant distinction of having the most such minutes. But the contest’s record for most instigator penalties and scrums cemented its position in brawl history. Since the playoffs the year before, tensions had been building, and the physical play that took place throughout the game was like a boiling pot. It was a night of ceaseless skirmishes, stretching the limits of what was considered appropriate on-ice violence.
10. 1981: Boston Bruins vs. Minnesota North Stars
That particular game included a multi-part, prolonged team brawl that was unlike any other. The rivalry from the previous playoff series persisted into their regular-season meeting. Throughout the game, fights broke out, and the refs did little to put an end to the mayhem. This fight demonstrated the lack of discipline that referees occasionally encountered during the NHL’s “broad era” in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Conclusion
These ten-team brawls represent some of the most intense and chaotic moments in NHL history. While fighting has become less prevalent in the modern game, these incidents serve as a reminder of the passion and competitiveness that lie at the heart of hockey.
