- Elvis Merzlikins was given a two-minute minor penalty for harassing Tom Wilson
- Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored less than two minutes later
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Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins was furious when he saw Washington Capitals star Tom Wilson fall into his net. So the Latvian netminder decided to hit Wilson with his blocker and stop him.
Wilson eventually worked his way out of the meshing and pushed Merzlikins back before the referees stopped the fight from escalating. Merzlikins was the only player penalized for the incident, a two-minute minor for rough conduct.
The foul came with 2:18 left in overtime, essentially giving the Capitals a 4-on-3 advantage for the remainder of the extra frame. Then came the sweetest icing on the cake for Capitals fans.
Team captain Alex Ovechkin's fourteen-game scoreless streak ended during the power play with a wrist shot that beat Merzlikin's blocker, prompting raucous boos from the Nationwide Arena crowd.
Wilson and the rest of the Capitals made sure to give Merzlikins a few shoutouts as he skated off the ice as part of their victory celebration.
Elvis Merzlikins pushed and punched Tom Wilson as the Capitals star lay flat in the net
Wilson got up and pushed Merzlikins away before he skated away and the officials intervened
Merzlikins was awarded a minor penalty, which resulted in a goal from Alex Ovechkin
“Tom Wilson's job is to get in people's faces and in the goalie's face,” Columbus head coach Pascal Vincent said.
'He creates a lot of emotions. Emotions were high. [Wilson] did what he had to do, and we responded. It cost us the match.'
Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson has built a reputation during his NHL career as a tough agitator who isn't afraid to win any way he can, sometimes to his own detriment.
Wilson is also a rare NHL fighter with All-Star level overall skill, which has seen him play in critical spots for Washington, including Thursday night's overtime against Columbus.
'I tried to grab my stick. I got hit in the head,” Merzlikins said.
'Before that. I think he tried to hurt me. Enough, I'm going to defend myself. … He got what he deserved. I do not mind.'
Merzlikins blamed Wilson for the incident, but the Capitals star was not penalized in the game
Ovechkin jumped into the arms of teammate John Carlson after scoring the game winner
The Capitals heckled Ovechkin after the count before making sure Merzlikins heard their cheers
“Merzlikins tried to create the odd man out and subtly get in his way,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said.
'But for [Wilson] to keep his cool and pull the power there, you might say, was the difference in the game.”
Ovechkin's first goal since Nov. 18, which was also the last time the Capitals played the Blue Jackets, was career-high No. 828, second on the NHL's all-time scoring list.
The 38-year-old Ovechkin still trails Wayne Gretzky's 894 career goals.
Washington and Columbus will not play again this season, with the Capitals sweeping all three regular season games.