Video: Nikita Zadorov Takes Out Ondrej Kase, Scrum Ensues

The Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs had a midseason matchup at the Scotiabank Saddledome Thursday evening but it felt more like a playoff game despite the two teams playing in different conferences. The Flames took the fight to the Leafs with their physical play, outhitting the Leafs 18-7 but remaining disciplined enough to take two fewer penalties than the visiting team.

Late in the first period, while the game was still deadlocked at a 0-0 tie, Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov hit Ondrej Kase so hard he knocked his helmet off. Kase did not return to the game, and the hit elicited an immediate response from his teammates, leading to a heated but mostly uneventful scrum:

There was some contact to the head, but it appeared to be minimal and no penalty was called on the play. The Flames went on to win the game 5-2 thanks largely to their physicality and an incredible 46-save performance from Jakob Markstrom.

Stay tuned to NHLTradeRumors.me for an update on Ondrej Kase's injury status.