Outdoor Game Thrills with Goaltender Fight
In a thrilling twist during the first ever outdoor game held in Tampa, a fight broke out between the goaltenders, escalating the excitement of the event. The confrontation took place during the second period, with the Boston Bruins leading the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 5-2, as tensions on the ice grew.
Chaos on the Ice
The ruckus ignited when Brandon Hagel of the Lightning delivered a slash to Boston’s Charlie McAvoy during a power play, resulting in a chaotic scene. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman leapt into the action, prompting Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy to charge down the ice to join him. When both goalies removed their masks and gloves, they exchanged several blows at center ice before the officials stepped in to break up the brawl.
Nostalgic Reactions
The fight not only entertained the fans but also drew nostalgic comments, particularly from Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh, who rated the encounter a solid “10 out of 10” in an interview with ESPN. The bout held a special significance as it coincided with the sixth anniversary of the historic altercation between goaltenders Cam Talbot and Mike Smith in 2000.
Rare Spectacle
Remarkably, this was the first fight of its kind to occur since January 19, 2026, when Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky faced off against Alex Nedelkovic of San Jose. This dramatic moment added to the excitement of the Stadium Series game and was highlighted by sports media, emphasizing the rare spectacle of goaltenders engaging in combat on the ice.
