NHL fans longing for the days of the Broad Street Bullies got a dose of nostalgia Saturday in Philadelphia thanks to New York Rangers’ hulking rookie Matt Rempe and Flyers’ feisty veteran Nicolas Deslauriers.
The visiting Rangers tied a franchise record with their 10th consecutive victory, but aside from New York’s 2-1 victory, the game will be remembered for what ESPN announcer Sean McDonough likened to a “heavyweight battle” .
Rempe, the 6-foot-7 Calgary native who scrambled in his first shift while making his debut last week, dropped the gloves again in the first period on Saturday.
“You don’t see many of these anymore,” ESPN commentator and former NHL star Ray Ferraro told host Sean McDonough.
“I was thinking about that,” McDonough agreed. “Reminiscent of the old days in this rivalry.”
Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers (44) and Rangers’ Matt Rempe (73) fight during the first period
Rempe (in white) is seen with some damage to his face during the fight with Deslauriers
Deslauriers pulls Remp’s shirt over his head before scoring a takedown in the epic fight.
The Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers, slightly disfigured, reacts after Saturday’s first-period brawl.
Both players landed heavy punches, and the 6-foot-1 Deslauriers received a cut on the forehead from one of Rempe’s hard right hands. The fight ended when Deslauriers ripped off Rempe’s shirt and then tackled the rookie to the ice.
“That’s a good old-fashioned hockey fight,” Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said.
Added Laviolette: “That was a good one, for sure.”
Rempe had the last laugh, scoring his first NHL goal and improving his career record to a perfect 4-0.
Fans were absolutely delighted by the violence on the ice.
“Big inclination from both of us, but Rempe to the decision,” wrote one on X. “Got my ticket for Rocky whoops Rempe 2.”
‘That. A. Tilt,” wrote another.
Many reveled in the nostalgia: ‘We all miss this. Also known as old school fans.
But while all fans seemed to agree that the fight was entertaining, they were divided over who won the fight.
“6’7 and brother were applauded, good sir,” an online judge ruled.
Others disagreed: “The Rangers Recking Ball Rempe lit it up.”
Fans were divided over the winner, but everyone seemed to agree that the fight was a rare treat.
In fact, things started between the two during pre-game warmups, when both were seen talking to each other.
Evidently, the animosity carried over into the game.
“He asked me in warmups,” Rempe said. “He’s a really tough customer and he said, ‘Let’s go.'” It was a great fight. We were dropping bombs. He got the juices flowing and it was unreal.”
It’s been a big week for Rempe, who battled Islanders tough guy Matt Martin during his first shift in his NHL debut Sunday in a Stadium Series game, and was ejected for a hit to the head. by Nathan Bastian of New Jersey at the 5th of New York. -1 win over the Devils on Thursday.
Rempe came in with 22 penalty minutes in just 9:47 of ice time in three career games. Veteran Deslauriers, 33, is no stranger to the penalty box, having played 729 minutes in 635 games through Saturday.
The fight seemed to fire up both teams by the start of the afternoon and began a great day for Rempe.
“He had a great game,” Laviolette said. ‘I had a big fight. He had great successes. Put the puck behind the defense. He’s been great since he got here. You can tell that the players in the locker room love having him here. “He loves to hit and be physical.”
Rangers and Flyers fans in Philadelphia quickly grabbed their cell phones to record the fight.
Alexis Lafrenière gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with 8:04 left in the second when his wrist shot crossed Ersson during a 4-on-4 game. It was his 17th of the season and his third in two matches.
The goal capped a wild sequence that began when Philadelphia’s Garnet Hathaway was awarded a double high penalty. Philadelphia, which entered leading the NHL with a 13-goal deficit and the second-best penalty-killing unit in the league, nearly scored, but Scott Laughton’s wrist shot that beat Shesterkin went off the crossbar.
Lafrenière nearly scored on the power play two minutes after Laughton’s miss, but Ersson saved the game, denying the putback attempt with a stellar left-pad save. Philadelphia then nearly had another big shorthanded opportunity, but Artemi Panarin stopped Cam Atkinson, resulting in a Rangers penalty and the 4-on-4 situation.
Philadelphia tied it 2:36 into the third when Foerster finished in front after a deft pass from behind the net by Laughton.
Philadelphia leading scorer Travis Konecny did not play due to an upper body injury. He has 27 goals and 54 points.