Rangers forward sparks with shocking fight

Pavel Buchnevich’s actions with a hockey stick in his hands have earned him far more notoriety than his actions without one. However, the former forward for the New York Rangers shown that he is also capable of doing some harm with his fists.

When the St. Louis Blues were ahead 2-1 and on the power play in their Saturday home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buchnevich dropped the gloves with Pontus Holmberg at 8:50 of the third period.

Players from both teams gathered in a scrum inside Toronto’s zone after teammate Jake Neighbours took a slashing penalty after the Maple Leafs threw a huge cheque. Buchnevich suddenly ran into the fray when he was along the wall.

Holmberg was grabbed from the pile, put in a headlock, and wrestled to the ice by Buchnevich. When Holmberg sprang up to fight, Buchnevich literally and symbolically outwitted him. The Maple Leafs were pushed back down to the ice by the 29-year-old’s six consecutive punches, which included at least one powerful right to the face and another to the back of the head.

If not a knockout, it was at least a clear TKO for Buchnevich.

Now, this wasn’t exactly Ryan Reaves whom Buchnevich was fighting. But it was an impressive performance nonetheless.