The New York Rangers haven’t had much to cheer for this season. But on Tuesday night, Igor Shesterkin got the crowd at Madison Square Garden riled up—with an absolutely incredible goalie fight against the New Jersey Devils’ Jacob Markström.
The New York Rangers are already eliminated from playoff contention, and soon the New Jersey Devils will probably follow. But that didn’t stop the two teams from putting on an entertaining game on Tuesday, with emotions running high. As the Rangers cruised to a 4–1 win, Igor Shesterkin and Jacob Markström added to the excitement with an incredible goalie fight.
Things got heated in the third period after Devils forward Paul Cotter made contact with the Rangers’ star goalie. As Rangers players shoved Cotter away from the crease and into the glass, Shesterkin wanted a piece of him—and Markström took exception.
Igor Shesterkin’s fight
The Devils goalie skated down the ice, and Shesterkin didn’t turn down the fight—and fans couldn’t have been more excited. Both goalies held their own, but most thought Shesterkin had the edge, and his teammates couldn’t praise him enough postgame.
“I’m trying not to swear, but that was awesome,” captain J.T. Miller said, per The Athletic.
“I saw Shesty in the scrum, and normally nothing happens. But I turned around and saw Marky in our crease. I was like, ‘This is great.’”
READ MORE: Radko Gudas stuns fans in Max Domi fight
Jacob Markström had never fought in an NHL game before. He did, however, fight in an AHL game back in 2015. Markström said he was trying to give his team a spark.
“He did a good job, and the crowd seemed to enjoy it,” said Markström.
Shesterkin’s teammates weren’t the only ones happy about his performance in the fight, as the goalie really seemed to enjoy it. Postgame, he also made a funny and confident claim about the outcome.
“Fellas told me I probably won on points,” Shesterkin said.
READ MORE: Morgan Rielly on why Max Domi got to fight Radko Gudas
