Islanders-Flyers get in late brawl as Oliver Wahlstrom wins another fight

Islanders-Flyers get in late brawl as Oliver Wahlstrom wins another fight

In the dying embers of a 5-2 Islanders blowout, Flyers forward Nicolas Deslauriers lit a spark that could carry over to Tuesday.

Taking exception to a clean hit by Alexander Romanov, Deslauriers retaliated on the defenseman, sparking a full-blown brawl with just over three minutes to go in the game. When all parties had been accounted for, Deslauriers and Scott Mayfield both had taken 10-minute game misconducts along with two-minute roughing minors, Oliver Wahlstrom had pummeled Tony DeAngelo and the stage had been set for what suddenly becomes an interesting start to the rematch on Tuesday at Wells Fargo Center.

“It was a great hit by Rommy,” Zach Parise said. “And then [Deslauriers] came in, I guess to stand up for one of his guys. Started a little scuffle over there. And then a lot broke loose after that.”

Wahlstrom, winning his second bout in less than a week — the first against Rasmus Sandin in Toronto — was the star of the show, and is fast gaining a reputation for standing up for his teammates.

Oliver Wahlstrom (right) gets into a fight with former Ranger Tony DeAngelo during the third period in the Islanders' 5-2 win over the Flyers.Oliver Wahlstrom (right) gets into a fight with former Ranger Tony DeAngelo during the third period in the Islanders’ 5-2 win over the Flyers.USA TODAY Sports

“I wasn’t even expecting it,” he said. “I just saw Rommy went down. Everyone kind of skated over to see if he was good and then [I] turn around and his gloves are in the air. I was like, ‘I got to protect myself.’ It’s part of the game.”

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Wahlstrom is not the biggest player on the ice, but he clearly knows how to conduct himself when the situation calls for physicality.

“Doing a little bit of everything,” Parise said of No. 26. “He’s getting in on the scoresheet and getting the fights. He’s doing it all for us right now. I think he’s played really well. I think his development from last year to this year, he’s really improved. He’s been playing some good hockey.”

The Flyers' Nicolas Deslauriers goes after Alexander Romanov following a third period check which led to a brawl in the Islanders' win.The Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers goes after Alexander Romanov following a third period check which led to a brawl in the Islanders’ win.Getty Images

Coach Lane Lambert said he had no issue with the way the Flyers conducted themselves toward the end of the game, and as a team, the Islanders did not seem to take much exception once things had calmed down in the locker room after the fact.

That may lessen the chances of things spilling over into Tuesday, but it will be interesting to see whether Flyers coach John Tortorella starts Deslauriers or DeAngelo, and who Lambert has on the ice to start.

“No idea,” Wahlstrom said of that possibility. “It’s going to be a hockey game, both teams are going for two points. Yeah, it’s going to be a physical game, but at the same time, it’s a hockey game. So if something happens, something happens.”


Kyle Palmieri (upper-body) missed his third straight game and is still considered day-to-day.