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A bizarre scene unfolded in Thursday night’s game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Washington Capitals that saw veteran Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins unleash on infamous NHL agitator Tom Wilson, a fight that eventually paved the way for Alex Ovechkin’s overtime game winner for the Caps.
During the final three minutes of overtime with the score tied 2-2, Washington forward Wilson was shoved into the net on a play, seemingly knocking Merzlikins’ stick out of his hand.
Officials break up a scuffle between Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, left, and Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson during the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday. (Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
When he went back to retrieve it, a fight erupted between the two — with Wilson mainly on the receiving end of Merzlikins’ frustrations.
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"I mean, it's an emotional game," the goaltender said after the game, adding that Wilson had been "after me all game long."
"I was trying to grab my stick. I got punched in the head. Before that, I’m pretty sure he was trying to get me hurt," said Merzlikins. "So, I was just trying to get my stick. I got punched. Well, enough... I’m going to defend myself."
Merzlikins said Wilson was going at him full speed — a dangerous tactic that could have resulted in a serious injury.
Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets fights Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals during the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday. (Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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"Watch the replay, he was going straight for my knee. I could be out for the rest of the season. He got what he deserved, I don’t care," said the goalie.
Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, Merzlikins was given a roughing call, and Ovechkin, who was on a 14-game goal drought, scored with just 53 seconds left in overtime.
After the game, head coach Pascal Vincent didn’t hide his feelings about the situation, saying that the fight resulting in a power play for the Capitals "cost us the game."
Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets goes after Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, during the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday. (Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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"We earned (the right) to win that game, and that incident cost us. We have to control our emotions there. So it’s disappointing," said Vincent.
"Tom WIlson’s job is to get in people’s faces, and the goalie’s face. And he’s creating a lot of emotion — the emotions were high. And he did what he had to do, and we reacted. Cost us the game."
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