Bruins defenceman Wotherspoon takes revenge in fight after dirty hit
On just the second day of the preseason, the first fight broke out of the NHL year in tonight's Bruins and Rangers game.
21 year old Brennan Othmann was clearly trying to make an impression on the Rangers, and targeted Bruins defenceman Parker Wotherspoon for a few late hits. In the first period, Othmann took a long run and drilled Wotherspoon, who was no where near the puck. Wotherspoon was shaken up on the bench, but remained in the game.
In the second period, Parker Wotherspoon was on the ice looking out for the young Rangers forward. When the two connected in a scrum during the second period, Wotherspoon was quick to drop the gloves and start filling in Othmann with some right hooks. The fight ended up as a wrestling match along the boards, but the Bruins defender definitely got the better in this matchup.
The Rangers prospect Othmann was drafted in the first round of the 2021 draft, and he showed he can match the physicality of a 27 year old veteran like Wotherspoon. Othmann played last season in the AHL with great results, scoring 21 goals and 49 points in 67 games. If he keeps up play like this and is able to translate his offensive production to the NHL level, he could be a high level power forward soon.
Some fans find fighting in hockey totally barbarian and useless, especially in the preseason. However, when a young forward like Othmann comes in with a clear goal to make an impact with his body, it's undeniable that it's still organically in the game. Pure power forwards are a rare breed in the NHL, and that's why they're so valuable.
Source for Othmann Stats: PuckPedia - Brennan Othmann
Source for Wotherspoon stats: PuckPedia - Wotherspoon
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 22 | 34 ANSWERS Bruins defenceman Wotherspoon takes revenge in fight after dirty hit Who won the fight? | ||
| Wotherspoon - Bruins | 15 | 44.1 % |
| Othmann - Rangers | 15 | 44.1 % |
| Draw | 4 | 11.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
