Full-Line Brawl In KHL Game (Video)
By Phil Watson
North American hockey, particularly the NHL, has debated the fighting question for decades. But brawling in hockey isn’t just a North American thing. This KHL brawl may take the cake.
European hockey isn’t known nearly as much for its physical style of play and its fighting as is its North American counterpart. But as an incident earlier this week in Eastern Europe’s Kontinental Hockey League shows, the Euros can throw down with the best of them.
More from NHL
- NHL Rumors: Legendary Patrice Bergeron retires, which 3 players could be next to hang up their skates?
- NHL Rumors: Latest on Hart, Hellebuyck, Gibson trade possibilities
- NHL Rumors: 5 forwards most likely to sign early extensions this summer
- NHL Rumors: Where things stand with Erik Karlsson, Penguins and Hurricanes
- NHL Rumors: Penguins nearly traded for Erik Karlsson at deadline
A KHL game on Thursday between visiting Sibir Novosibirsk and Slovan Bratislava in Bratislava, Slovakia, degenerated into a full-line brawl late in the first period.
According to TSN, the teams played the feud after a huge check along the boards. Sibir’s Oleg Gubin came out on the short end of a battle with Jonathan Sigalet of Slovan, with his face and jersey pretty much a bloody mess after order was finally restored.
But all of the players on the ice squared off. There was a dearth of punches in the fight, but the incident does fly into the face of the thinking that fighting in hockey is simply a Canadian and American thing.
Visiting Sibir came away with a 3-2 win, despite losing Michal Sersen to a game misconduct for his hit along the boards.
Sibir is 7-10-1 and is sixth in the KHL’s East Division. Slovan has a mark of 8-11-1 and is 10th in the West Division.
More from FanSided
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- LA Galaxy vs. Club Leon Leagues Cup match rescheduled for July 26