Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky drops gloves with Sharks’ Alex Nedeljkovic in rare goalie fight

A rare but entertaining sight has taken place in South Beach.

During a game between the Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks, the team’s respective goaltenders, Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Nedeljkovic, dropped the gloves in an amusing moment.

The dust-up was spawned from an incident early in the third period. Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais knocked down Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich in the Sharks’ zone. Florida’s Evan Rodrigues took exception by bowling Desharnais over after the whistle. Along with his other teammates, Nedeljkovic jumped into the scrum to the aid of his teammate.

As the skirmish seemed to have subsided, Bobrovsky came flying into the San Jose end to challenge Nedeljkovic. The two traded hands for about 20 seconds before Nedeljkovic knocked down the Vezina Trophy winner.

The crowd inside Amerant Bank Arena lost its mind, as one would expect. The packed house has grown accustomed to seeing its Panthers use rough, physical play to overpower opponents over the past few years, leading to back-to-back Stanley Cups. However, seeing their star goaltender get involved was something to behold.

Each netminder was handed a major penalty for fighting, with both getting a minor for leaving the crease, despite Nedeljkovic being in his own end. They were the only two who actually dropped the gloves in the event.

While it was Bobrovsky’s first fight of his career, this wasn’t the first time Nedeljkovic had dropped the gloves. Back in the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2017, the Parma, Ohio native, then with the Florida Everblades, fought Orlando Solar Bears netminder Ryan Massa.

Nedeljkovic was playing in his 22nd game of the season on Monday. He entered the game with a record of 8-8-2 with a 3.06 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage. Bobrovsky is 19-13-1 in his first 33 starts this season, posting a 3.09 GAA, a .875 SV% and three shutouts.