WATCH: “Ice boxing”, NHL fans react as Rangers-Devils game opens with EXPLOSIVE full line brawl

Eight players were ejected from the game after this massive brawl.

WATCH: “Ice boxing”, NHL fans react as Rangers-Devils game opens with EXPLOSIVE full line brawl

Matt Rempe and Kurtis MacDermid fight stole the show in the huge brawl (Image via The Globe and Mail/X)

Tensions are always high when two bitter rivals take on each other. This was seen once again in NHL, when the New York Rangers took on the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night. Though fights were expected from this game, very few would have imagined a full line brawl at the very start of the game.

That’s right, a full 5-on-5 brawl broke out within two seconds after the puck was dropped. All 10 skaters present on the ice would throw away their gloves and pick up an opponent.

YouTube video

The spotlight in this chaotic scene was on Rangers’ rookie Matt Rempe who faced off against Devils’ Kurtis MacDermid. As the two heavyweights clashed on, the referees tried their best to keep the game under control.

FS Video

After things finally slowed down, a total of eight players were ejected from the game. This was because the first fight was between Jimmy Vesey and Curtis Lazar and thus the other brawls were considered secondary fights.

This led to the Rangers losing Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller and Barclay Goodrow along with Rempe. As for the Devils, they had to play the game the rest of the game without the services of Kevin Bahl, John Marino, Chris Tierney and MacDermind.

Speaking on Rempe, the 21-year-old has so far faced the Devils three times in his career. In these appearances, he has only played a total of five minutes and has been ejected on all three occasions.

Fan reactions to Rangers-Devils fight in opening seconds

Fans on social media have gone absolutely bonkers since the fight broke out. Several X users would point out that this fighting is what makes the sport of hockey the best in the world.

Rangers Devils fight
Rangers Devils fight (Image via NY Post)

There were some who even took shots at the teams and certain players. One user wrote “Ice boxing” to describe the events.

Ice boxing sounds sick ngl
One X user commented.

Check out that and some top reactions below:

The game turned out to be a tight contest which eventually saw the Rangers walk away as 4-3 winners. Having already qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, this win puts the Rangers in top position in the race for the Presidents’ trophy this season. The Devils on the other hand are still sixth in the Metropolitan Division and are six points behind fourth placed Washington Capitals for the final wild card spot.

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