Fighting in hockey isn’t as prevalent as it used to be — in 2008-09 and ’09-10 there were over 700 fights compared to 469 in ’13-14 — but it’s something that isn’t a surprise to see in any game. It is a bit shocking though when one of the smallest players in the league decides to dust up.
In the Rangers-Blues contest Thursday, the Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello and the Blues' T.J. Oshie went at it. A reminder, Oshie isn’t exactly a bruiser at 5’11, 189, but Zuccarello is even more diminutive at 5’7, 179.
The fight happened just with around five minutes gone in the third period. There was some back and forth between the two leading up to it, and they ended up dropping the gloves.
You can judge for yourself, but I’d give the edge to Oshie, thus capping a pretty lousy night for Zuccarello overall , though the Rangers did pull out a 3-2 victory.
Our amusemens aside, this probably wasn’t something either team was too happy to see. Both players are important members of their respective teams, and injury is a big enough risk in hockey before anyone drops the gloves. Just ask Dan Boyle .
In case you’re wondering, a fight for either Zuccarello or Oshie isn’t a common occurrence. Hockeyfights.com lists Thursday’s scrap as just Oshie’s third NHL fight as he enters his seventh season. It was the first of Zuccarello’s NHL career .
So if you enjoyed the battle, congratulations. It’s unlikely either guy drops the gloves again anytime soon.