Eight players ejected in opening faceoff brawl between Canucks, Flames

Heading in to their tilt with the Calgary Flames Saturday night, the Vancouver Canucks had amassed 162 penalty minutes in their late three games.

So it should come as no surprise then that two seconds into the all-Canadian contest, the two teams, who came onto the ice with their fourth lines, engaged in a vicious brawl that led to the immediate ejection of eight players.

Notorious tough guys Tom Sestito (Canucks) and Brian McGrattan (Flames) were at the center of the fracas, as was minor-league call-up Kellan Lain, who was making his first career appearance with Vancouver.

In all, the two teams combined for 188 penalty minutes in the opening period, 142 of which came in the first 300 seconds.

But the fighting apparently didn’t stop there.

Canucks head coach John Tortorella, who is well-known for his fiery temper, was reportedly caught on CBC’s camera trying to make his way into the Flames’ locker room between periods. Tortorella was intercepted by McGrattan, and the two exchanged words before being separated.

The NHL is currently reviewing the incident.

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