Radko Gudas created another messy situation for the Ducks on Sunday, and Teddy Blueger made sure it ended with Gudas on the ice.
That’s why this clip got shared quickly online.
Gudas still has a bad reputation in the league, and that got even louder after the knee collision that ended Auston Matthews’ season back in March.
So when Gudas fought Blueger in Anaheim, it didn’t seem like just a random fight at the start of the game.
It felt like another story in the ongoing saga of Radko Gudas.
To be fair, Gudas didn’t lose instantly.
Canucks supporters loved it for obvious reasons, while many Leafs fans probably enjoyed watching the same replay for very different reasons.
Blueger held on tight, stayed steady, and then knocked Gudas off his path before the Ducks player fell back to the ice.
Blueger gave fans the conclusion they wanted.
There’s a reason this video went viral.
Blueger isn’t usually the player fans think of for a big fight, but he was the one who gave Vancouver a moment to cheer about.
And he did it against one of the league’s most annoying players.
When Gudas is in the game, things hardly stay calm for long.
That’s also why this situation has interest that goes beyond just the Ducks and Canucks.
Toronto fans have spent the last month hearing about Gudas being linked to Matthews’ injury story, and Sunday gave them a little moment of joy.
For Anaheim, it was another night where Gudas was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Not because he fought, but because he couldn’t control how it ended.
For Vancouver, Blueger energized their bench and provided the fans with a clip that will be remembered for a long time.
The punches were important, but the way it ended was even more significant.
That’s how these things work in hockey.
You might exchange blows and stay tough, yet still not win if the other person is the one who ends up in control at the end.
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