Bruins Forward Ignites Crowd With Epic Second-Period Fight

BOSTON — The Bruins began to tilt the ice against the Washington Capitals in the second period when Vinni Lettieri scored his third goal of the season.

However, the tally didn’t get the TD Garden faithful jumping as much as the late-period heavyweight bout between Bruins forward Jefffrey Viel and Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath.

Both skaters traded punches with their helmets on, but McIlrath appeared to get the upper hand when he successfully ripped off Viel’s bucket. However, McIlrath landed just one punch before Viel returned the favor. The tilt lasted just about a minute before the two skaters slowed down and the referees stepped in.

Head referee Wes McCauley understood the assignment when he authoritatively announced the matching penalties: “Five minutes for fighting!”

The energy Viel had in the fight spilled over to his teammates. The Bruins tied the game up, 2-2, when David Pastrnak lit the lamp on the power play for his 36th goal of the season.

Viel dropped the gloves against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier in his Bruins debut on Nov. 18. He appeared in his fifth game for Boston this season on Tuesday and is still searching for his first point sporting the Spoked-B. Viel has three goals and two assists in 53 games with the San Jose Sharks.

Boston is looking to end its eight-game skid with its first win since defeating the Florida Panthers, 3-2, on March 11.