Warning: You hockey purists out there are going to absolutely hate this.
Calgary Flames All-Star goaltender David Rittich celebrated an intense victory over the Edmonton Oilers with a stick toss after making the game-winning shootout save on Leon Draisaitl.
Like he was a baseball player celebrating a walk-off home run, Rittich threw his stick high into the air before getting mobbed by his teammates.
Video
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
Rittich stopped 31 of 34 shots and all three shots he faced in the shootout to win the third installment of The Battle of Alberta.
Twitter went wild for his sassy stick sling.
The stick toss post-shootout victory is the new bat toss. pic.twitter.com/4F1MTfgmP6
— Mike Pfeil (@mikeFAIL) January 30, 2020
Epic celebration from David Rittich after making the game-winning shootout save on Leon Draisaitl pic.twitter.com/BfMmokyGku
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 30, 2020
There was huge interest coming into the game due to Zack Kassian and Matthew Tkachuk’s bitter feud. Kassian absorbed two hits he described as “predatory” from Tkachuk in their last game. The second one sent Kassian in a punching rage. Tkachuk declined to fight him.
Wednesday, the two players fought in the first period.
After the game, they showed respect to each other.
Kassian told Tkachuk right before they fought “Thanks kid, I appreciate you doing this.” Showed a healthy amount of respect for him in his media avail. Said Tkachuk wanted to go right away but Kassian wanted him to think about it for a bit first. Game within the game he said
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 30, 2020
#Flames Tkachuk on fight w/ Kassian: “I just didn’t like getting kinda pummelled at home like I did. A lot of people didn’t want me to do it, but I wanted to. It was a way for me to stick up for myself. It wasn’t anything to do with owing anybody. I was just doing it for myself.”
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) January 30, 2020
The game also featured Sean Monahan’s first NHL fight with Ryan Nugent Hopkins.
Here’s all the rough stuff here.
Screenshot courtesy of Sportsnet
