Arizona Coyotes Rookie Anthony Duclair Fights J.T. Brown
Arizona Coyotes rookie Anthony Duclair dropped the gloves with J.T. Brown of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period of the Coyotes’ 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay.
There’s a lot of defiance floating around the Arizona Coyotes locker room lately.
Rookie forward Max Domi fought Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on Thursday night after Vlasic plastered Domi to the boards.
Anthony Duclair wanted in on the madness, apparently.
The Arizona Coyotes’ other star rookie forward took umbrage with Lightning forward J.T. Brown whacking away at a puck in Louis Domingue‘s crease.
Shoves and words were exchanged during which Duclair retaliated and broke Brown’s stick and received a minor penalty. That wasn’t where it ended, though.
After skating off, Duclair wheeled back around and exchanged more words with Brown and then proceeded to cross-check Brown high and receive a second minor penalty. Brown responded by tagging Duclair once with a right and the fisticuffs ensued.
There were only a couple of good licks split between the pair though the Duke did try to sneak in some uppercuts.
The more notable part of the fracas between the two probably came afterward when Anthony Duclair appeared to mock J.T. Brown’s hair in the penalty box.
I’ll admit it was a bit of low hanging fruit but it was good for a laugh nonetheless.
The difference between the two brawlers couldn’t be more stark.
J.T. Brown went undrafted out of Minnesota-Duluth after winning the men’s NCAA hockey championship and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Brown scored his first NHL goal against the then Phoenix Coyotes in 2013 and has managed just 15 goals across four seasons with the Lightning.
While Brown operates as a speedy role player with something to prove, Anthony Duclair was drafted in the second round by the New York Rangers and acquired via trade by the Arizona Coyotes. The forward has 17 goals and 37 points on his ledger in his inaugural NHL campaign.
He was an important part of the Coyotes’ early surge through the standings and has formed a dynamite partnership with best friend Max Domi.
That Domi has a little fight in him is no surprise. It’s in his genes.
Next: Domi Fights Vlasic In Coyotes 3-1 Win Over Sharks
The Duke attempting to throw punches is a different story. The fight was yet another surprising twist in this youth-filled season for the Arizona Coyotes.
While one admires the fire in the bellies of the Coyotes’ young guns, could the team have Shane Doan or another veteran to take care of these issues moving forward?