Capitals, Penguins brawl near bench during entertaining first period

The Penguins and Capitals scuffled near the bench in the first period of their Wednesday night game.
Capitals, Penguins brawl near bench during entertaining first period
Capitals, Penguins brawl near bench during entertaining first period /

While it’s often billed as two teams that really have no connection, Wednesday’s “Rivalry Night” held true to its name. Before the first period ended, a a big scrum between the Capitals and Penguins erupted by the benches. 

The scuffle started mainly in part to Washington’s Michael Latta being pulled onto the bench by Steve Downie. 

Latta fought back, but several Penguins (including Evgeni Maklin) came over on the bench to participate. Latta, Downie, as well as Blake Comeau and Tom Wilson, received penalties for the incident. 

The fight comes off of the news that Brooks Laich had some fiery comments about the Penguins in the Washington Post

“They’re our rivals. We don’t like the Pittsburgh Penguins. We love playing them, but it’s a team that you’re going to face in the playoffs probably — certainly to get out of your division you’ll probably face them.” 

He also added, “there’s still a dictates, a serious distaste between the two years there.” 

-- Darian Somers


Published