Tom Wilson bloodies Ian Cole in fight after Avalanche defenseman’s blindside hit on Evgeny Kuznetsov

February 7, 2019 10:34 pm

Tom Wilson was effectively ejected from the Capitals-Avalanche game in the third period after coming to the defense of Evgeny Kuznetsov. Kuzy was targeted with a blindside headshot by Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole, sending the Caps center to the quiet room for concussion protocol.

In a rage, Wilson threw his gloves off and instigated a fight with Cole, raining uppercuts to the hockey player’s face.

Cole was bloodied in the bout and was ejected from the game.

Video

The play started in the Avalanche’s defensive zone. Kuznetsov reached for the puck, missed, and turned to skate back up the ice on defense. Cole then suckered Kuznetsov with a shoulder to the head.

Wilson saw the hit the whole way and threw down his gloves.

The Capitals enforcer nailed Cole with approximately 16 punches to the head, absorbing one counterpunch to the snoz.

The uppercuts opened up several gashes on Cole’s face including on the bridge of the nose and overtop his left eye.

The Avalanche captured Cole’s injuries.

Cole got a five-minute major for interference, a five-minute major for fighting, and a game misconduct. Wilson received a two-minute minor for instigating, a five-minute major for fighting, and a ten-minute misconduct.

The play gave the Caps a three-minute powerplay, but they were unable to score.

👊 pic.twitter.com/1kUj5Il7n6

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 8, 2019

Kuznetsov would later author some poetic justic later in the night, returning to the game in overtime and scoring the OTGWG.

In an interview postgame, Kuzy thanked Wilson for standing up to Cole, telling Al Koken “that’s huge you know. We know Tom play physical. He’s huge for us. When sh*t like that happen, he stand up. That’s always nice to have a guy like that on the team.”