Remember that awkward moment between off-ice friends Rick Nash and Dan Boyle, halfway through the third period of Thursdays 2-1 Sharks win over the Blue Jackets, when the two appeared as if they were going to drop the gloves?
Boyle said after the game that he was confused when Nash, whom he played with at the Olympics on Team Canada in 2010, was challenging him to a fight, as neither player drops the gloves very often. According to HockeyFights.com, Boyle has fought just six times in his career, and Nash eight.
The Blue Jackets forward gave his take to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
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(Boyle) took a swing at me in the corner, Nash said. Not a big deal, just a hockey play. But I asked him, What was that for?He said I high-sticked him, but I dont think I did. It just started like that, with a couple words back and forth, and I asked him if he wanted to fight. I asked him three or four times.
Nash went on to say he thought it was a good time to create a spark, as Columbus was trailing by a goal.
Ah, hockey.