The Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes seemed to briefly forget they were playing a hockey game on Wednesday … ’cause they were using their fists more than their sticks at the Lenovo Center!!
There were three fights in the third period of the contest … with the final brawl in the trilogy — which involved Washington center Connor McMichael and Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield — taking the violence to another level.
Jalen Chatfield with the 3-point TAKEDOWN of McMichael
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 3, 2025pic.twitter.com/bVKCoXXDXs
It grew intense early as both players’ helmets came off in the scrap – but Chatfield wasn’t content with just throwing punches.
He executed a wrestling-esque takedown on McMichael as he slammed him to the ice … which actually had some folks online outraged and claiming it was too dangerous.
McMichael was lucky not to hit his head on the surface … and Chatfield got off easy as well, receiving no suspension or fine from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Apparently UFC moves are A-OK in the eyes of the league … but even if hockey fans don’t see one again for awhile, there was plenty of other drama in the game to hold them over.
Carolina forward Logan Stankoven — who was also tossed for fighting — hilariously returned to the ice in his street clothes after the tilt was over … ’cause despite it all, he was still named third star of the game!!
The brawls weren’t the only noteworthy moments … as Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin also scored a goal, putting him only two away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.
The Caps have seven more opportunities for Ovi to break the record this season … and one of those happens to be a rematch against the ‘Canes.
The Metropolitan Division rivals square off again on April 10 in DC … so stay tuned for a potential sequel to this action flick!!
