The Toronto Marlies took on the Springfield Thunderbirds last night in AHL action, but while the Marlies lost handily by a score of 5-1, there was one battle on the ice that they didn't lose.
Midway through the third period, former Marlie Joseph Duszak scored and during his celebration, he had some choice words for the Marlies' bench.
Immediately after the puck was dropped at center ice following the goal, former NHL tough guy Kyle Clifford challenged Duszak to a fight to teach him about respect. Duszak attempted to skate away, but Clifford wasn't going to let that happen. Clifford tracked down Duszak and immediately started throwing punches which led to Duszak turtling on the ice.
No one knows what Duszak said to get the Marlies fired up, but it clearly struck a nerve with the team. Clifford was given four minutes for roughing and a game misconduct. With the loss, the Marlies sit fourth in the North Division, tied with Belleville with 61 points.
