"Picking on an injured, smaller player?" "dirty player": NHL fans irate as Capitals Tom Wilson rips off Gabriel Pageau's fishbowl in feisty bout

Hockey fans expressed their ire on social media over Washington Capitals’ right wing Tom Wilson grabbing New York Islanders’ center Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s face-shield during a scrum on the ice. The incident occurred during Sunday’s game between the two teams.

As the first period came to a close, a few of the players started pushing each other around on the ice. Wilson got hold of Pageau’s fishbowl and nearly pulled it off before officials managed to separate the two.

Hockey podcast "Spittin’ Chiclets" posted a clip that captured the action on X.

NHL fans were not shy in commenting about the incident, with some pointing out that Wilson often uses his size against other players.

Other fans seemed torn between amusement and outrage at the Capitals' forward's antics.

Tom Wilson has the assist for Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking goal

On Sunday, emotions were running high as everyone expected Washington Capitals' left wing Alex Ovechkin to surpass Wayne Gretzky's goalscoring record in this game. "The Great 8" didn't disappoint, scoring the Capitals' first goal of the night at 7:26 of the second period on the power play.

Wilson was also part of the historic moment, with his name down in the assist column for the Russian forward's 895th goal.

Alex Ovechkin collected a cross-ice pass from Wilson in the left face-off circle, steadied himself, and slammed a wrist shot past Islanders' goalie Ilya Sorokin. He was mobbed by his teammates on the ice as he celebrated becoming the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer.

Gretzky was in attendance at the game and leaped to his feet to celebrate Ovechkin's goal on the night. Later, he and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman honored Ovechkin with a special commemorative painting in an on-ice ceremony at UBS Arena.

About the author

Tushaar Kuthiala is an NHL journalist at Sportskeeda with over a decade of experience in the field. Tushaar was an avid ice skater in his childhood and his love of competitive sports and background in writing led him to sports journalism.

Tushaar doesn't have a favorite NHL team as such, which allows him to watch and write from a truly neutral perspective. If he had to pick, Tushaar most enjoys watching the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers.

Wayne Gretsky, Bobby Orr and Alexander Ovechkin are Tushaar's favorite players of all time. Their highlights reels, stats and accolades speak for themselves.

When not working, Tushaar writes fiction and reads books and manga.

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