Tampa Bay defeated the Vancouver Canucks last night by a score of 5-2, and the game didn’t end without some physicality.
Lots of hits and emotions were thrown around in this contest as things got testy beginning in the second period.
It all started late in the second period when Danick Martel landed a bruising hit on Troy Stecher, who was forced to leave the game. Travis Green, coach of the Canucks thought it should have been a match penalty.
All hell broke loose moments later as Canucks star Elias Pettersson was targeted. With time winding down in the second frame, Cedric Paquette skated and tried to nail Pettersson to the boards. The Swedish star was able to skate away relatively unscathed, but teammate Brock Boeser stepped up for Pettersson.
The gloves were thrown off and a good ol’ line brawl broke out. Tempers flared and the place went nuts as emotions ran high.
Pettersson was already rocked earlier this season, so it’s no surprise that players of the Canucks are quick to step up and protect their star.
We got a line brawl in Vancouver after Cedric Paquette lays a big hit on Elias Pettersson ? pic.twitter.com/OIqMMJkRs9
— Kliff’s Bedroom (@KliffsBedroom) December 19, 2018
Despite the loss, members of the Canucks believed they did a good job in this game. “We did a great job to stand up for each other, we win as a team and lose as a team. I think we did a good job today,” said Bo Horvat.
Head Coach Travis Green commented on the roughness of this game: “It was a physical match. They went hard on us and we worked hard on them. That’s how it is in the NHL. I’m especially pleased with how we performed.”
