Washkurak and Dellandrea drop the gloves for the most epic fight of 2019 so far.

These two boys absolutely went to war.

On Friday night we got what may very go down as one of the very best fights of the 2018 - 2019 season but it did not take place in the National Hockey League. Instead the fight occurred in the Ontario Hockey League during a high scoring game between the Flint Firebirds and the Mississauga Steelheads and boy oh boy what a fight it was.

It seems that 17 year old forward Keean Washkurak of the Mississauga Steelheads was the man to get things going after he was the victim of a big hit that laid him out. In spite of absorbing a big blow Washkurak was quick to jump to his own defense and what a spirited showing he managed to give in spite of the fact that he was likely still feeling the ill effects of that body check.

His dancing partner for this one was 18 year old forward Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds. As much credit as I want to give Washurak for his willingness to stand up for himself you have to give Dellandrea just as much credit for answering the bell when he was challenged to drop the gloves. Just like Washurak, Dellandrea gave what can only be described as a spirited effort in this bout with both men trading heavy bombs and both men connecting a number of times in the fight.

In spite of the violence that both of these guys were inflicting on one another there were absolutely no signs of either man slowing down in the exchange, and in fact when the officials finally stepped in to separate them they were still both trying to get at one another. I will say however that it is unfortunate that the officials stepped in at all during what was objectively a fantastic fight between these two young men, instead of letting them handle their own business and allowing one to emerge victorious over the other.

As things stand this one is very difficult to call, and it's impossible to tell what could have happened to either guy had the officials not stepped in when they did. Regardless of who you feel won, this was a treat for the fans.

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