Goalie fight denied: Refs stop Bruins’ Swayman and Kings’ Kuemper from scrap

NHL fans were almost treated to the ultra-rare goalie fight on Sunday night until the officials got in the way.

Late in the second period of Sunday’s game between the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings, Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov ran into Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Kuemper was unhappy with the collision and ripped off Khusnutdinov’s helmet which started a scuffle in front of Kuemper’s crease. Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman apparently didn’t want to be left out of the fun, and skated to centre ice and beckoned for Kuemper to join him.

The Kings netminder obliged as he skated to meet Swayman while both goaltenders shed their blockers and gloves. But the officials were too quick, and stepped in to stop the goalie fight in its tracks.

In the end, both Kuemper and Swayman received two-minute penalties for leaving the crease. Kuemper also received a roughing penalty for stripping Khusnutdinov’s helmet, while Khusnutdinov received two minutes for goaltender interference.

Predictably, NHL fans were displeased that the referees got in the way of the two goalies trading haymakers. Here are some of the best reactions to the almost-goalie fight.