‘Goalie fight’: What happened between Sharks’ Alex Nedeljkovic and Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky? Videos surface

A fight erupted between goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic and Sergei Bobrovsky during a Florida Panthers vs. San Jose Sharks game, following a first-period scrum.

Updated on: Jan 20, 2026, 07:27:11 IST

By Prakriti Deb

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A heated matchup between the Florida Panthers and the San Jose Sharks took an unusual turn after video footage showed goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic and Sergei Bobrovsky engaged in a rare on-ice fight.

Fights between goaltenders are uncommon in the modern NHL, as goalies typically remain near their respective nets during altercations. (Photo: Screenshotted from video posted on X by @GinoHard_)

According to Hockey Feed, tensions escalated during the first period when a scrum broke out behind the Sharks’ net. Nedeljkovic became involved in the altercation while attempting to protect his crease as players from both teams gathered around the goal.

Bobrovsky then skated from the opposite end of the ice to confront Nedeljkovic. Both goalies dropped their gloves before officials intervened and separated them, preventing the situation from escalating further.

The incident video quickly circulated on social media.

Rare occurrence

The physical play between the two teams had been building earlier in the game.

A separate confrontation involving Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais also took place. Tkachuk was seen engaging in a physical exchange during the opening period.

The goalie fight followed shortly after.

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Fights between goaltenders are uncommon in the modern NHL, as goalies typically remain near their respective nets during altercations. When they do occur, such incidents often draw widespread attention due to their rarity.

Bobrovsky removed his blocker and catcher before engaging Nedeljkovic, a standard step when goaltenders prepare to fight. Officials stepped in quickly, limiting the duration of the exchange.

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Tkachuk’s return

The game also marked Matthew Tkachuk’s first appearance of the 2025-26 season, following a lengthy absence due to injuries. Tkachuk last played in June 2025 during the Stanley Cup Final.

The NHL has not yet released details on potential fines or suspensions related to the incident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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