Emotions erupted between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals when Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins and Capitals forward Tom Wilson traded blows in overtime.
The play began after Wilson slid into the Blue Jackets net after a failed scoring chance, and Merzlikins’ stick got stuck in the net with him. While the puck transitioned the other way, Merzlikins went back to retrieve his stick and pushed Wilson, who had not yet exited the net. That push set off a scrum with both players connecting on multiple punches.
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“I was just trying to get my stick, I got punched. Well, enough… I’m going to defend myself,” Merzlikins said after the game, later adding. “He got what he deserved, I don’t care.”
In the end, Merzlikins was given the only penalty on the play — two minutes for roughing — and Alex Ovechkin scored a power play goal shortly after to secure the 3-2 win.
“I think in general we did a good kill, we deserved to win tonight,” Merzlikins said. “I feel guilty, but at the same time, I’m sorry, it’s an emotional game, I reacted. Maybe I should control my emotions.”
