Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty downplayed their rivalry leading up to Saturday’s rematch on Hockey Night in Canada, with Doughty even telling a group of reporters, “To be honest, I’m just sick of it.”
Well, so much for that.
Halfway through the third period, with the Kings comfortably ahead 4-0, the tension between Doughty and Tkachuk boiled over and snowballed into a line brawl.
It started with Tkachuk entering the Kings’ zone and being upended by a hip check from Doughty. As Doughty tried to skate away, Tkachuk grabbed his leg and tackled him to the ice. Kings forward Austin Wagner joined in, cross-checking Tkachuk from behind.
From there, chaos ensued.
Additional players from both teams joined into what became mostly a wrestling match, with Flames defenceman Mark Giordano leaping on top of the pile at one point.
Five penalties were handed out, including three for Tkachuk (tripping, roughing and a game misconduct). Doughty was not penalized.
Act three of this feud will have to wait until Dec. 7 when the Kings and Flames meet again at Staples Center.
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