Fighting in today’s NHL is becoming less and less.
So, when you see a combined 13-feet of NHL behemoths going toe-to-toe, it’s a noteworthy and remarkable occurrence -- and a treat.
The tale of the tape included 6-foot-9, 255-pounder in Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara and a 6-foot-7, 255-pounder in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. Both possess the reach of roughly a country mile.
That’s a whole lotta beef.
Many would say whoever is fighting Chara is a sucker for punishment, but Oleksiak is no slouch. And the 25-year-old held is own against Chara, who is 40.
Chara may have been a bit tired, too.
Zdeno Chara killed the entire penalty, stayed on for another 1:03, then fought Jamie Oleksiak.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 2, 2018
Also, that look on Chara’s face as he’s planning where to plant his fist on your face is, well, terrifying.
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck