Although the 2023/2024 American Hockey League season only began last week, the fight of the year already took place between enforcers for the Calgary Wranglers and Manitoba Moose on Friday night. At least 50 huge punches were thrown as helmets and haymakers flew during the violent tilt.
6-foot, 180-pound center Alex Gallant dropped the gloves for Calgary against 6-foot-2, 205-pound winger Jeffrey Viel of Manitoba. Both guys are known for their ability to chuck knucks and they did not disappoint, to the delight of a raucous crowd at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg.
It took place at center ice.
Both guys squared up for about eight seconds before Gallant initiated contact with a big right hand. Viel tried to dodge the initial punch and countered with one of his own. And then it was on!
Although Viel landed a few shots, it was Gallant who came out on top. He had Viel by his jersey and never stopped throwing for the entirety of the scrap, even after his helmet was knocked from his head. He just kept firing.
The fight continued for a sold 30 seconds, and to Viel’s credit, he never backed down or crumbled to the ice. Even after his nose started to gush blood.
At that point, the officials stepped in to break things up and sent them both to the box. Gallant was the winner at the bell, but the real winners were the fans— who showed up to a bar fight and a hockey game broke out!
Both Viel and Gallant are some tough dudes. Their brawl on Friday night is up there amongst the better fights in recent history. It will be hard to top such a fantastic tilt throughout the rest of the year. Rarely do they go for as long, with as many punches thrown! Bravo!!