Sunday didn’t just feature a historic outdoor game in Tampa — it also delivered an unforgettable goalie fight between Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jeremy Swayman. Now, footage of the two goaltenders after the game has fans all saying the same thing.
The NHL Stadium Series took place in Tampa on Sunday, where 64,617 spectators watched the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Boston Bruins 6–5 in a shootout. But what many will remember most is the heavyweight showdown between Vasilevskiy and Swayman.
READ MORE: Jeremy Swayman’s priceless reaction to having his helmet shot off
Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jeremy Swayman fight
The two met at center ice midway through the game and dropped the gloves. Following the fight, the Lightning scored three unanswered goals and turned what had looked like a certain loss into a comeback win.
Before the scrap, both goalies removed their helmets. And after the game, during the traditional handshake line, they were seen chatting amicably and patting each other on the back. Speaking to reporters afterward, each goaltender praised the other.
“Fighting the biggest, toughest goalie in the league wouldn’t be my first choice,” Swayman said. “But I’m glad we got that one out of the way. Really worthy opponent. He wanted to win, and so did I. Game respecting game.”
“I ran to the red line to challenge him, and he accepted,” Vasilevskiy told reporters. “Big thanks to him for giving me my first fight in the NHL. I thought he was great.”
Fans praising the goalies
Fans are now applauding the two for the respect they showed after their bout.
“I’d imagine they looked at each other and said, ‘That was so much goddamn fun,’” one fan wrote on X.
“How can you not get romantic about hockey?” another added.
“Sway was itching for that goalie fight. Props to Vasy for delivering. Awesome game,” a third fan wrote.
You can watch the fight and the postgame handshake below.
READ MORE: Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy in wild goalie fight
