Since the mid-1970s, there has been a cut-throat rivalry between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Their rivalry received more heat when an unavoidable scrum fight happened between the two teams in the second half of the match on Monday. More so, the fight left the fans gasping as they expressed their reactions to it.

On 21 February, the Pittsburgh Penguins faced defeat in a struggling match against the New York Islanders with 2-4 scores. However, what caught the attention was the magnificent save by Islander goaltender Illya Sorokin that turned the ice rink into a boxing ring.

Fans react to the epic fight between New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins

In a struggle to score the third goal, Penguins’ defenceman Letang, advanced to the goal post, and just when he thought it was the right chance, he shot the puck to score. However, his aim was interrupted by Sorokin’s unbelievable save with his hockey stick. After the unsuccessful attempt, the two teams wasted no time indulging in a brawl. Fans were thrilled to watch the Penguins and Islanders beating each other black and blue. Take a look.

A fan appreciated Sorokn’s grand save, and said, “Even as a Penguins fan I can tell you that was an amazing save. Totally highway robbery.” Another wrote, “That save by Sorokin was epic.” The epic fight also became an unforgettable memory for a fan and his girlfriend. They penned, “This was the first pens game my girlfriend and I went to, it’ll be one I’ll never forget!!”

Another fan commented on the Islanders’s Johnston’s furious attitude “That amazing save followed by the big scrum was just epic. Never seen Ross Johnston get that angry before. Penguins are definitely the Islanders’ biggest rivals after the rangers no doubt. Always fun to see both teams go head-to-head!”

A few fans wrote about Malkin’s fighting gesture…

“Malkin starts swinging when he’s safe”

“Malkin missed all those punches except for one and that didn’t even look hard”

Lastly, a fan was unimpressed with the fight and the demeanor of the audience, and commented, “The atmosphere in the stadium was honestly rediculous. I’ve never heard so many fans CHEERING while their players are getting their shit kicked in. Genuinely confusing”

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Fights in an NHL match are considered quite normal although they are not encouraged. Recently, Penguins star player Sidney Crosby was debarred for his misconduct for the first time in two decades.

Sidney Crosby’s first misconduct in 18 years

Last week’s match between the Pittsburg Penguins and Los Angeles Kings made headlines. Not because of the Penguins’ embarrassing loss but of star player Crossby’s elimination from the game. It was Crosby’s first misconduct in the last 18 years.

It all happened because of a struggle between Crosby and LA Kings’s Michael Anderson for an advantageous position before the net. There occurred a heated argument between the two players. It made the referee give them a 10-minute timeout. This made Crosby argue with the referee which resulted in misconduct charges against him.

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NHL has been a bloody and emotional sport. What are your views about the incident?