The Tampa Bay Lightning tried beating the Washington Capitals at hockey on Saturday night. When that didn’t work, they tried just physically beating up the Caps.

That didn’t work either.

It’s Tom Wilson time, y’all.

Video

It all began when Brayden Point took a couple extra whacks at Braden Holtby after a whistle. Nick Jensen and Carl Hagelin —  the new guys — took umbrage at that and started a tussle that drew in a few more players.

But while the officials were untangling the mess at the Caps net, Erik Cernak (6’4″, 225 lbs) and Tom Wilson (6’4″, 218 lbs) met at the blue line for a heavyweight bout. Cernak, helmeted, had the advantage early on Wilson, denuded, but then Wilson’s strategy took effect: make Cernak reach, absorb a bunch of his punches with your head, and then counterattack. After a flurry of right crosses, Wilson got one of his own.

It only took the one. Cernak rag-dolled to the ice as the officials swarmed.

Neither Wilson nor Cernak returned for the final seven minutes of the game, though neither was assessed a misconduct. Tampa coach Jon Cooper tells The Hockey News’ Matt Larkin that Cernak is not expected to miss time.

This was Cernak’s second ever fight. His first came on December 10 against New York’s Matt Beleskey.

i was watching from the stands cheering my ass off. oh wait i got it on video too 🙂 pic.twitter.com/lvytcy09jx

— x- MARGE #ALLCHAMPS (@Margefro87) March 31, 2019

Wilson recorded an assist on the game’s first goal.

Full RMNB Coverage of Capitals vs Lightning

Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington