The Washington Capitals won their first game of the preseason on Tuesday, but the Blues’ physicality took a toll. The Caps lost Michal Kempny to injury and fought twice in the game.
After watching Hershey teammate Nathan Walker get hit high, Liam O’Brien finally had enough, asking Patrick Maroon to get these hands 13:05 into the second period.
The Big Tuna didn’t win the spirited bout, but O’Brien’s participation left NBC Sports Washington’s Craig Laughlin mightily impressed.
“That’s one of the best (fights) I’ve seen in the last couple of seasons, toe-to-toe,” Locker said.
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The fight took awhile to develop, but it was worth the wait.
As the Capitals and Blues began scrumming behind the net, Maroon cross-checked O’Brien near the crease. The Tuna didn’t appreciate his personal space being violated so rudely, so the two pugilists began debating who could punch each other’s face harder. This perhaps was also a ploy to catch their breath after a long shift.
Approximately 15 seconds later, the fight was on and the bell was rung. In his excitement, O’Brien almost chucked his gloves off the ice.
But first, another breather. That was a really long shift.
And now: punches. Lots and lots of heavy punches.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was pumped on the bench.
And so was O’Brien after he was done scrapping.
The fighters would both get five for fighting and the respect of everyone who watched that bout because ouch, their faces are going to be sore in the morning.
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