The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals rivalry sizzled to another level, as Blue Jackets forward Matt Calvert was assessed a match penalty after hitting Alex Ovechkin with the butt-end of his stick.
The incident occurred at the end of the first period during a scrum for a loose puck. Officials had to separate the two teams, as a bloody Ovechkin was curled on the ice.
Matt Calvert ejected after delivering the butt-end of his stick to the face of Ovechkin. 😡
Stream #CapsJackets live: https://t.co/NGTPHxGvna pic.twitter.com/WoBFiLMweA
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 27, 2018
The Great 8 returned for to the game and was seen jarring with the Blue Jackets bench and their head coach John Tortorella during the second period.
Ovechkin and Torts chatting#CapsJackets #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/65ieSyMxxL
— HockeyKot (@hockeykot) February 27, 2018
Calvert has faced disciplinary actions during last season’s playoffs. He was suspended one game after cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins Tom Kuhnhackl.
The Blue Jackets defeated the Capitals 5-1 but the story will sure shift to the melee and exchange in the first and second period. Columbus currently is holding on to the second wild card while the Capitals narrowly lead the Metropolitan Division. If the cards play out this could be a very entertaining first round series.
