Buffalo Sabres co-captain Chris Drury was helped off the ice with a severe cut across his forehead, sparking a major melee against the Ottawa Senators in the NHL on Thursday.
All 12 players on the ice, including both goaltenders, were involved in a five-minute brawl that eventually involved both coaches yelling at one another at the benches.
Both goalies, Ottawa's Ray Emery and Buffalo's Martin Biron, were ejected, as was Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters. Officials handed out 100 minutes in penalties, including 63 against the Sabres.
It all began 5:07 into the second period with Buffalo up 3-2 when Drury was bowled over by a blind-side hit by Ottawa's Chris Neil. Drury had just snapped a shot on net from the right circle and Neil, without slowing, hit Drury from behind.
The hit knocked Drury's helmet off and sent him flying. Drury lay on the ice with blood flowing from his forehead while Sabres rookie Drew Stafford fought Neil. Both received 5-minute fighting penalties.
Neil, however, was not penalized for his hit on Drury who, after being helped up, made his own way to the locker room. Drury, who scored his 33rd goal earlier in the game, did not return because of what the Sabres described only as a head injury.
The brawl began after the ensuing faceoff when Buffalo's Adam Mair punched Senators star Jason Spezza in the head.
All 10 players then squared off and Biron skated to center ice, where he was met by Emery. Both goalies traded several punches before Peters took on Emery, landing several heavy blows.
Both coaches then got into a yelling match with Ottawa's Bryan Murray standing on the side boards at the end of the Senators' bench and pointing at Buffalo's Lindy Ruff.
The game was delayed for about 20 minutes while officials sorted out the penalties.
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