Bruins’ Pastrnak after fight with Panthers’ Tkachuk: ‘I’m not afraid of him’

It’s highly unlikely anyone had a David Pastrnak–Matthew Tkachuk fight on their Round 2 bingo card, but on Wednesday, that’s exactly what happened.

With the Flordia Panthers well in control of Game 2, the Boston Bruins sharpshooter decided to send a message before the series shifts back to Beantown.

Pastrnak picked a fight with Tkachuk late in the third period, and even though things didn’t go entirely his way, he proved he’s not one to be intimidated by anyone.

“I’m not afraid of him… I can take a punch,” Pastrnak said to the Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa after the game.

And take a punch he did, as Tkachuk appeared to land a couple of right-hand blows before Pastrnak fell to the ice.

One of the biggest supporters of the scrap was Tkachuk’s father, Keith, as the former NHL tough guy was shown in the crowd giving a thumbs up while smiling and applauding his son’s efforts.

The fight was brewing for the entire period, as the two stars even met at centre ice and exchanged words with each other before dropping the mits on their next shift.

Pastrnak even appeared to clear the fight with his coach Jim Montgomery before getting things started.

Montgomery clearly had no problem with it, and was proud of Pastrnak’s actions after the game.

“I’m proud of Pasta,” Montgomery said post-game. “There are so many players pushing after the whistle when the linesmen are there. Pasta and Tkachuk just went out and fought.

“You like your hockey players to be competitors.”

Panthers coach Paul Maurice was also clearly a fan of the scrap.

“I thought (the fight) was awesome,” Maurice said post-game.

Whether or not things will boil over into Game 3 in Boston remains to be seen, but it’s clear things are starting to heat up between the two rivals.

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