The goaltenders took center stage in the latest meeting between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers in Saturday's "Battle of Alberta" — the second such matchup in 72 hours.
After Flames goalie David Rittich prompted social media mockery for being pulled early, his replacement Cam Talbot and Oilers 'tender Mike Smith squared up at center ice and threw down in a rarely-seen goalie fight.
But first, Rittich.
MORE: Everything to know about the Matthew Tkachuk-Zack Kassian feud
The 27-year-old netminder was pulled early in the second period after giving up four goals on 17 shots. It was a complete reversal of fate for Rittich, who made 31 saves in Calgary's 4-3 shootout victory in Wednesday's edition of the rivalry.
During the midweek contest, "Big Save Dave" was at his best in thwarting a motivated Oilers squad. Rittich's stellar game Wednesday was punctuated with a poke-check save made on Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl to clinch the shootout victory, followed by a celebration in which the 27-year-old netminder jubilantly tossed his stick into the air before greeting his teammates.
David Rittich's celly says it all. 😂 @NHLFlames take this edition of the #BattleOfAlberta in a shootout! pic.twitter.com/9lQAYaGel5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 30, 2020
The stick toss didn't go over well in the northern half of Alberta, so when Connor McDavid scored his second goal of Saturday's contest to seemingly seal Rittich's fate just 3:28 into the second period, Twitter exploded with derisive comments for the Flames' backstop.
Rittich throwing his stick at a wall isn't nearly as impressive as throwing it in the air. #LetsGoOilers #BattleOfAlberta
— Andrew Grose (@GroseAndrew) February 2, 2020
Kids, let this be a lesson.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) February 2, 2020
Never be the goalie who flips his stick after a win. #Flames #Oilers #LetsGoOilers #Rittich
With Rittich on the bench, Talbot stepped between the pipes to face an Oilers team with momentum and a literal score to settle. Edmonton continued to pour on the offense, scoring another two goals in the second as Talbot seemed as shellshocked as his teammate.
As if that wasn't enough, while play was stopped with 24 seconds left in the middle frame for a Matthew Tkachuk vs. Ethan Bear scrap, Talbot and Smith met near the red line and engaged in the first ever goalie fight in the history of the Battle of Alberta.
The Battle of Alberta continues to deliver. #HockeyNight pic.twitter.com/9XmYuX0uup
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 2, 2020
The chaos forced an early intermission as officials scrambled to regain control of the game, and eventually Talbot and Smith were both ejected from the game. Rittich, who surely thought his night was over just minutes earlier, was forced to return to the game in Talbot's absence.
Rittich has to come in now, after being jeered by the Oilers as he was pulled earlier. Clearly, they weren't fans of the stick flip last game.
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) February 2, 2020
The Battle of Alberta continues to entertain.