Canucks forward Teddy Blueger made NHL history against the Florida Panthers

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Cooper Godin
October 18, 2024 (11:38)

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Vancouver Canucks forward Teddy Blueger made NHL history during Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers.

After starting the season 0-1-2, the Vancouver Canucks finally got into the win column on Thursday night against the Florida Panthers thanks to J.T. Miller scoring in overtime to give his team the two points.

Nearly half-way through the second period, a scrum ensued between the Canucks and Panthers. As forward Teddy Blueger attempted to join the scrum, he was grabbed by Uvis Balinskis of the Panthers and the two immediately dropped the mitts.

By dropping the mitts, Teddy Blueger made a bit of National Hockey League history as according to Sportsnet Stats, the Canucks forward and Panthers blueliner Uvis Balinskis participated in the first fight between two Latvian players.

Teddy Blueger and Uvis Balinskis know each other quite well, as the two have played together at three IIHF World Hockey Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

After the game, Blueger and Balinskis met up for a chat and to hug things out. Sometimes emotions get the best of players on the ice, with both teams pushing hard for the two points and it won't be the last time we see former teammates and friends drop the mitts.

"Blueger and Balinskis threw hands during the game and then met for hugs after the game." Dan Murphy of Sportsnet said.

Murphy added that Blueger didn't initially know it was Balinskis that he was fighting, "Blueger said he actually didn't know it was Uvis at the start of the altercation."

Aside from his fight Blueger was quite effective for the Canucks, scoring their first goal of the night and on his only shot of the game, while adding three hits and finished with a 45.5 faceoff percentage, which they're hoping will improve a bit on Saturday.