Photo: Debora Robinson / National Hockey League / Getty
In the game between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Friday night, former Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears goaltender Pheonix Copley nearly got into a goalie fight with John Gibson of Anaheim.
The initial scrum began in front of the Kings goal at 19:36 of the second period. Copley jumped into the fray, ultimately receiving a two-minute minor for leaving the crease and a match penalty for a “punch with a blocker.”
Pheonix Copley was given a two minute penalty for leaving the crease and a match penalty for a “punch with a blocker.”
Here’s the video.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/t3ytShkE8x
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) February 18, 2023
After the brawl broke out, Copley started punching an unidentified Anaheim player down on the ice, first with his blocker, then with his fist. Meanwhile, Gibson waited at center ice, trying to entice Copley.
We really almost had a goalie fight. 😳 pic.twitter.com/zwggXKUchE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 18, 2023
Jonathan Quick played the final 20:24 after the 31-year-old made 16 saves on 17 shots (.941 save percentage).
Copley, who spent part of eight seasons within Washington’s organization, entered the game 17-3-1 with a .903 save percentage and 2.74 goals-against average this season before making 16 saves on 17 shots (.941) in Anaheim.
Copley went 16-7-3 with a .905 save percentage, 2.90 save percentage, and one shutout in his lone full season in Washington in 2018-19. He also appeared in two NHL games last season before signing with Los Angeles as an unrestricted free agent in July.
By Harrison Brown