Rangers vs. Devils game erupts into an epic brawl, stunning fans, and social media
Chaos erupted at the start of the NHL game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils. Mere seconds into the game, players from both teams launched into a melee, sparking a large-scale brawl on the rink. This incident quickly went viral on social media, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.
12:21 PM EDT, April 4, 2024
Hockey fans are familiar with on-ice skirmishes in the American NHL, but the events that unfolded on Wednesday during the game between the Rangers and the Devils were extraordinary.
Immediately after the game commenced, players tossed aside their sticks and engaged in combat, much to the astonishment of fans. The arena became the scene of five simultaneous fights, with the most prolonged clash occurring between Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers and Kurtis MacDermid of the New Jersey Devils. The two exchanged blows in the rink's center for an intense minute.
NHL regulations forbid initiating new fights while others are ongoing and impose penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. This rule led to the ejection of eight players from the game.
The expelled players were Matthew Rempe, Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, Barclay Goodrow of the New York Rangers, Kevin Bahl, John Marino, Chris Tierney, and Kurtis MacDermid from the New Jersey Devils. Referees noted that Jimmy Vesey and Curtis Lazar, who were the first to start fighting, did not receive penalties.
The massive brawl is believed to be a response to events from a previous encounter between the teams on March 11, as reported by American media. "Associated Press" highlighted Matthew Rempe's role in instigating the conflict. The young player initially avoided fighting MacDermid but later injured New Jersey Devils player Jonas Siegenthaler with an elbow, an act which resulted in a four-game suspension.
Despite the initial chaos, the game concluded with the New York team securing a 5:4 victory. Footage of the brawl spread rapidly online, garnering millions of views and shares from popular social media accounts.
