One and Done – Goalie Fight

totalprosports.com: Last night was just one of those nights where it seemed as though nothing was going right for the New York Islanders.

In Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins, the Isles found themselves getting out-hit and out-played throughout the first 59 minutes of the game, and when Rick DiPietro attempted to salvage some dignity for his team in the final minute, he wound up on the receiving end of the hardest shot delivered all game, courtesy of Brent Johnson’s fist.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the game and the Penguins leading 3-0, DiPietro left his crease to run a little interference on a forechecking Matt Cooke.  His antics didn’t go unnoticed as they irked Johnson, who skated all the way down the ice from the Penguins’ goal to take on DiPietro in a fight.  However, that fight would end after just one punch as Johnson KO’d the Islanders’ netminder with one stiff left to the jaw.  DiPietro immediately left the ice to receive some medical attention for his bruised face as both goalies were assessed fighting majors and game misconducts.

For Johnson, the ejection with only 17 seconds remaining would prevent him from recording his 15th career shutout, but it was a sacrifice he had to make in order to earn his first even NHL knockout.