Tage Thompson, Stefan Noesen Fight Early in Rematch as Devils Blank Sabres 5-0

Overview

• The players dropped gloves 2½ minutes into the game, exchanged punches for about 30 seconds, and each received five-minute majors.
• Thompson said he approached Noesen during warmups and that they agreed to fight, declining teammates’ offers to step in so he could handle it himself.
• Devils coach Sheldon Keefe noted pregame chatter and called Noesen an honorable player for raising the possibility, while Sabres coach Lindy Ruff expressed respect for both choosing to settle it on the ice.
• Noesen was not made available to reporters after the game, which was the teams’ first meeting since his February elbow that drew a match penalty but no further league discipline.
• New Jersey won 5-0, and there was no indication of additional NHL action beyond the fighting majors.