Alex Nedeljkovic and Sergei Bobrovsky engaged in a wild boxing match. © APA / BRUCE BENNETT

Two NHL goalies get into a fight – and the fans go wild.

It's an absolute rarity in the world's best ice hockey league: Two goalkeepers engage in a wild boxing match – and the fans go wild.

20 January 2026

From: sportsnews

On Monday night, spectators witnessed one of the most spectacular moments of the current NHL season. The game between the Florida Panthers and the San Jose Sharks featured a rare goalie brawl, which finally escalated the already heated match.

With about 14 minutes remaining, the game had become increasingly rough, with numerous niggling fouls and scuffles. The trigger for the climax came behind the Sharks' net: Florida forward Evan Rodrigues checked Vincent Desharnais, prompting San Jose's goalie Alex Nedeljkovic to attack Rodrigues and become embroiled in a confrontation. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky didn't let that go unanswered.

First goalie fight in six years

Bobrovsky immediately left his crease and sprinted across the ice to confront Nedeljkovic. Within seconds, a full-blown fight erupted between the two goaltenders – a sight that is an absolute rarity even for die-hard NHL fans. They celebrated the scene wildly and chanted Bobrovsky's name as he returned to the ice after a brief trip to the locker room.


The referees issued both goalkeepers five-minute penalties for fighting, plus two additional minutes each for leaving their crease to participate in the altercation. Despite the penalties, both remained in the game. The game ultimately ended in a surprising 4-1 victory for San Jose against the reigning champions.

It was the first goaltending battle in the NHL since February 2020, when Mike Smith and Cam Talbot clashed in the so-called "Battle of Alberta" between Edmonton and Calgary. A rare spectacle that should secure this game between Florida and San Jose a permanent place in the season's highlight videos.

The results from last night:

Carolina Hurricanes – Buffalo Sabers 2:1
Colorado Avalanche – Washington Capitals 5:2
Seattle Kraken – Pittsburgh Penguins 3:6
Florida Panthers – San Jose Sharks 1:4
Toronto Maple Leafs – Minnesota Wild 3:6
Vegas Golden Knights – Philadelphia Flyers 1:2
Chicago Blackhawks – Winnipeg Jets 2-0
Calgary Flames – New Jersey Devils 1:2 aet
Anaheim Ducks – New York Rangers 5:3
Vancouver Canucks – New York Islanders 3:4