After getting off to a hot start to the season, the Detroit Red Wings had lost five games in a row heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s clear the Red Wings coaches and players are getting more and more frustrated as each loss piles up and for Anthony Mantha, his emotions finally got the best of him last night.
It all started when Mantha hit Lightning defender Mikhail Sergachev in the back up against the boards. Following a whistle which stopped play, Sergachev found Mantha and looked to get even as he cross-checked him in the back.
Watch as Mantha’s immediate reaction to the cross-check is to turn around and beat Sergachev down to the ice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=71&v=ML82q2KkCC4
Interestingly, Mantha was only given a 2-minute penalty for roughing while Sergachev was given 2 minutes for the cross-check.
Anthony Mantha went after Sergachev, who never dropped his gloves. Sergachev gets 2 for cross-check. Mantha 2 for roughing. #DETvsTBL
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) October 27, 2017
Following the “fight,” Twitter reacted.
"Try me, hoe!"
-Anthony Mantha, probably https://t.co/greOXkVBMQ— Addison (@AddisonAitch) October 27, 2017
One fan was not so happy with Mantha’s actions.
https://twitter.com/Nikkiiiiw/status/923750929077276672
Despite playing hard, the Red Wings, who have now lost 6-straight games, ended losing to the Lightning 3-2.
Wah , I would have punched the cross checker in face as well !