Eight players ejected in opening faceoff brawl between Canucks, Flames

Jan 19, 2014, 3:41 PM | Updated: 3:41 pm

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.

Haboob

Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas (10) celebrates his home run against the Colorado Rockies with Dav...
Haboob Blog

D-backs’ Josh Rojas calls David Peralta ‘a traitor’ while mic’d up vs. Dodgers

D-backs 3B Josh Rojas didn't mince his words on Thursday when talking about former teammate and current Dodger David Peralta.
2 days ago
David Peralta #6 and Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after scoring on a si...
Haboob Blog

Former D-backs OF David Peralta rekindles Eduardo Escobar’s cat fear with Team Venezuela

David Peralta had some fun with Eduardo Escobar's fear of cats when they were teammates with the Diamondbacks.
5 days ago
Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats is fouled by Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Stanford Cardinal in...
Haboob Blog

Arizona’s Oumar Ballo after win: Stanford can ‘go home … study science’

Arizona center Oumar Ballo heard Stanford's Harrison Ingram proclaim Stanford as the biggest, baddest team a day prior.
15 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots in the second half against Patrick Beverley #21 of the...
Haboob Blog

Patrick Beverley says he pestered Deandre Ayton in postgame food line

Seemingly every time Patrick Beverley matches up with the Phoenix Suns extracurricular actives ensue.
17 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll (AP Photo/Matt York)...
Haboob Blog

Alek Thomas is not a fan of Corbin Carroll’s face when he runs

But while the Corbin Carroll is considered No. 1 in the organization for quickness, No. 2 is all teammate Alek Thomas sees when he runs.
24 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, right, greets son, Chicago Cubs minor league coach Nick...
Jake Anderson

Pitch clock rules force D-backs’ Joe Mantiply to start count 1-1 without throwing a pitch

Due to MLB's new pitch clock rules, D-backs lefty Joe Mantiply started a count at 1-1 despite not throwing a pitch vs. the Cubs on Monday.
24 days ago
Eight players ejected in opening faceoff brawl between Canucks, Flames