MUST-WATCH: Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins Destroys Tom Wilson in a Rare Goalie/Player Fight
It's not very often that a goalie and a player fight, but tonight, filled with anger over Tom Wilson's antics, Elvis Merzlikins got physical.
Columbus Blue Jackets Starter Elvis Merzlikins Lets His Emotions Get the Better of Him and Fight Tom Wilson in Overtime
Elvis Merzlikins is one of the most vibrant personalities in the league, but is also a very emotional guy. He has the drive to win, but is also easily flustered, both in his play in net, and in his overall psyche. Tonight, after a wild regulation between the Capitals and Blue Jackets, where Tom Wilson repeatedly taunted Merzlikins, everything went downhill quickly.
In OT, after a Wilson drive to the net, Merzlikins tripped him, leading him to fall into the net. When he tried to get up, Merzlikins pushed him into the net and started punching.
Blue Jackets Head Coach Paul Vincent Disapproves of Merzlikins Actions and Blames Him for Losing the Game
While a head coach would usually back up their player, Blue Jackets head coach Paul Vincent instead blamed Merzlikins for their loss. The game ended in an Alex Ovechkin OT goal.
"Disappointing. That incident cost us. We have to control our emotions there. It's disappointing."
Merlikins accepted his mistake:
"I feel guilty. But at the same time, sorry. It's an emotional game. I reacted. Maybe I should control my emotions, but I didn't."
Tom Wilson is certainly an abrasive player, but Merzlikins just got too heated. Who knew Caps/Blue Jackets would be a must-watch game!
| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 21 | 134 ANSWERS MUST-WATCH: Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins Destroys Tom Wilson in a Rare Goalie/Player Fight Do you think Tom Wilson is a pest? | ||
| Yes | 93 | 69.4 % |
| No | 41 | 30.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||