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Greg Wyshynski
Multiple Authors
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning attributed their historic comeback victory against the Boston Bruins in the Stadium Series to the first goalie fight in an NHL outdoor game.
With 8:59 remaining in the second period and Boston ahead 5-2, Lightning forward Brandon Hagel attempted to poke the puck from under Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman after a save. Swayman responded by jumping on Hagel, triggering a scrum while the Lightning were on a power play. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy skated from his crease to the opposite blue line amid the chaos.
“I noticed Sway was swinging his blocker at [Hagel], so I instinctively skated to the red line to challenge him. He was up for it,” Vasilevskiy remarked.
Swayman, noticing Vasilevskiy, dropped his stick and skated out to meet him at center ice. As they squared off, he removed his gloves and mask, signaling Vasilevskiy to do the same before they started swinging.
“I wanted to avoid hitting his helmet, so I’m glad that didn’t happen,” Swayman noted.
The Lightning’s “Big Cat,” Vasilevskiy, seized Swayman’s collar and began launching left punches. Swayman struggled to retaliate before Vasilevskiy took him down to the ice.
Did Swayman realize Vasilevskiy was a lefty prior to their altercation?
“No,” the Bruins goalie replied with a laugh. “I’m just glad we both got our first fight against each other. He was a worthy opponent.”
Vasilevskiy gave Swayman a tap on the back and then playfully patted the back of his head, both grinning as the fans erupted inside Raymond James Stadium.
“After we fell, we exchanged some nice words. It was a special moment for me, as I had never fought in the NHL,” Vasilevskiy reflected. “Big thanks to him. He performed magnificently throughout the game and was great in the fight too.”
Swayman felt similarly grateful.
“He was eager to win, which was admirable. So was I. It’s just game recognizing game,” he said. “I was up against the biggest and toughest goalie in the league. It wasn’t my first choice, but I’m glad we got the first fight over with. I might retire now.”
The nearly 65,000 spectators stood and cheered during the fight, and again when the referee announced both goalies received five-minute majors for fighting. Players on both benches applauded, banging their sticks against the boards in recognition of their goalies.
“He was throwing lefts, and I thought, ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t want to be on the receiving end,” Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov said. “I was beyond happy and pumped. I think the bench felt it, and everyone in the arena could sense the change. After that fight, our game shifted. Vasy needed to spark us.”
Over the next 5:12, the Lightning scored two goals on 5-on-3 power plays, narrowing the Bruins’ lead to 5-4 as they headed into the third period. Kucherov netted the tying goal in the third, and the Lightning ultimately triumphed 6-5 in a shootout.
Tampa Bay’s comeback from a four-goal deficit marked the largest in franchise history and in an NHL outdoor game.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper sensed a shift in momentum before the fight, but noted that the goalie brawl provided the emotional boost they needed.
“I was relieved that something positive was developing for us,” he commented. “I’ll give Boston credit; they dominated us and we weren’t ready for it. Vasy was frustrated.”
Hagel called the fight “a significant turning point in the game.”
Kucherov shared that sentiment, also confident in their goalie’s victory in the bout.
“I knew he would dominate Swayman from the start,” Kucherov said. “We’ve started calling him ‘White Tyson’ now.”
