A couple of the Edmonton Oilers’ bad boys got into a bit of a battle on the bench late in the second period of Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
With just 12.3 seconds remaining in the middle frame, Oilers forwards Corey Perry and Evander Kane sent some pretty spirited verbal barbs back and forth on the bench during a stoppage in play.
The exchange came shortly after a substantial on-ice scrum late in the period in which both were involved with a number of Flames. After returning to the bench, Perry slammed the door shut before shouting and gesticulating wildly at Kane, who remained comparatively low-key.
Here’s the full video of the back-and-forth between Kane and Perry from Oilersnation‘s very own Zach Laing:
moments after the big scrum at the end of the second, corey perry remained pretty upset, slamming the bench door.
then, he has a cordial conversation with evander kane. pic.twitter.com/gHS8fE2YFO
— zach (@zjlaing) April 7, 2024
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke about the “emotional” altercation between Kane and Perry after the game, which ended with the Oilers steering home a 4-2 victory.
“I know before the period started, they had talked and made it out,” Knoblauch said. “There’s just a disagreement, and two passionate players. Nothing more than that.
“Obviously, most important is do they stay composed, or focused — the more important word would be focused,” Knoblauch added. “Being able to return from that exchange ready for their next shift. And if they have that exchange, and it affects others on the bench, if it affects their next shift, then absolutely we don’t want to see that.
“These players are very competitive, and they have emotions, and sometimes that comes out. Overall, I don’t assume it’s going to happen again.”
Kane and Perry are both commonly regarded as power forwards. Kane, 32, has 23 goals and 41 points in 74 games with the Oilers this season; the 38-year-old Perry has seven goals and 10 points in 32 games since joining the Oilers in January.
Coincidentally, both Kane and Perry signed with the Oilers after having their previous contracts terminated by their respective former teams. Perry was released by the Chicago Blackhawks in November; Kane played for the San Jose Sharks from 2017 to 2021 before being cut loose for violating COVID-19 protocols.
The Oilers improved to 47-24-5 with their win over the Flames on Sunday and now sit just three points back of the Vancouver Canucks for the top spot in the Pacific Division. They’ll return to action on April 10 to take on the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place.
