There hasn’t been a goalie fight in the NHL since the COVID-19 pandemic, but on Sunday, we came close. Jeremy Swayman and Darcy Kuemper were both ready to square off until officials stepped in to spoil the fun—and now, the Bruins goalie reveals why he challenged Kuemper to a fight.
The last goalie fight in the NHL took place on Feb. 1, 2020, when Edmonton’s Mike Smith and Calgary’s Cam Talbot dropped the gloves. Since then, fans haven’t seen a single netminder showdown. On Sunday, it looked like that drought was about to end, as Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman skated to center ice, dropping his gloves and helmet for a tilt with the LA Kings’ Darcy Kuemper.
Things escalated after Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov made contact with Kuemper in his crease, prompting the Kings goalie to grab him around the head and neck, knocking off his helmet in the process. Seeing this from the other end of the ice, Swayman reacted immediately. Kuemper also dropped his gloves, and just as the two were about to square off, referees stepped in, shutting it down before fists could fly.
Jeremy Swayman almost in goalie fight
After the game, Swayman explained his reaction and even gave Kuemper some credit for stepping up.
“He touched one of my guys, and that’s something I’m not going to accept,” Swayman said, per AP. “And kudos to him, he stepped up. Just wish it didn’t get broken up.”
Many fans were disappointed to see the officials intervene, but Kings head coach Jim Hiller was relieved, citing the injury risks involved.
“I mean, nobody wants to see that,” Hiller said. “Well, I shouldn’t say that. Neither team’s coaches want to see that because those are some pretty important players—you don’t want them busting up their hands or anything like that.”
Hiller also praised the officials for stopping the fight in time.
“They’re not as agile as the skaters, so I think it’s a little easier for the referees to get a hold of them. I’m glad they did,” he said.
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