Indiana fans missed NHL history after goalie skates 200 feet, drops gloves and throws punches in epic rare fight

A goalie fight is rare event in ice hockey these days.

But on Monday night, NHL fans were treated to exactly that, although jubilant Indiana Hoosiers fans celebrating a national title run just 30 miles away may have missed it.

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Bobrovsky and Nedeljkovic trade blows in first NHL goalie fight in six years

The San Jose Sharks defeated the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-1.

But midway through the contest, with the Sharks leading 3-1 with 14 minutes in the third quarter, tempers flared between the two sides.

This resulted in Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky dropping the gloves and going after Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

The confrontation sparked as a result of tension between the two sides having reached a boiling point, being the culmination of a melee which began when Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues hit San Jose defenseman Vincent Desharnais hard behind the net.

This was Desharnais’ first game since November after his return from an elbow injury which required surgery, which could provide one explanation as to why his Sharks teammates took particular offense to him being hit, after the play had been whistled dead no less.

As the melee between players ensued, 37-year-old Brobrovsky – who had never once gotten into a fight during his entire 16-year NHL career – did not hesitate in skating 200 feet across the ice to trade punches with his opposing goalie.

“I tripped the guy and then I got hit from behind,” Desharnais told reporters in the visitors’ dressing room postgame. “I was on the ice trying not to get stepped on. I got up and I just see Ned and Bob going at it, and I was like, ‘Did I miss something here?’

“But it was a great fight. I don’t think Reavo [Sharks right winger Ryan Reaves] needs to teach him anything. Maybe he can teach a thing or two to Reavo. That was awesome.”

Both goalies were assessed five-minute penalties for fighting and two-minute penalties for leaving their creases, though both did continue playing in the contest.

After the game, Bobrovsky spoke to reporters and explained that he felt Nedeljkovic’s reaction to the hit on Desharnais was a bit too extreme.

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“I went to make sure to get him and let him know,” he said. “I felt just like I made a decision and went straight into it.”

Nedeljkovic also offered his account of the events that unfolded.

“I was just doing my best not to get punched,” the 30-year-old Panthers goaltender said. “He came out swinging, so I was just trying not to lose any teeth.

“It might have straightened my nose out a little bit more, but I don’t want it that way.”

No regrets for Nedeljkovic as fans 30 miles away missed the melee due to CFP Final

The Sharks goalie – who recorded 35 saves against the reigning champions – also spoke of having no regrets in his role in the fight.

“We’re all just playing for each other in there,” he said. “All 20 guys are fighting for each other. It didn’t matter who it was that would have got hit. I would have gone in for him.

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“I didn’t really expect the consequences of doing it, to be honest with you. I got a little surprised when he came down. But I would do it all over again, too, for Vinny, for whoever.

“And I think that just speaks to how close we are in that locker room and how far we’ve come as a team, from camp to the first game to whatever game it is now.

“We just keep fighting, keep bouncing back, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.”

According to Sportsnet, this was the first goalie fight in the NHL since 2020 when Mike Smith and Cam Talbot went at it in the Battle of Alberta.

“It’s exciting, but it’s obviously not the thing I’m doing for a living,” Bobrovsky added. “Yeah, it is what it is.

“We had a good fight and unfortunately didn’t (get) the two points. That’s the most important thing.”

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Just 30 miles away from Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium was taking place.

There, projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft and Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza led his team to a 27-21 victory, completing their undefeated season and winning their first national title in program history.

It’s a shame those college football fans missed the fight in the NHL, though they were treated to a punch being thrown by Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr in the face of Indiana defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker.

Clearly something in the air in Florida on Monday night.

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