Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames have many fights, 129 penalty minutes in third period

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- If you love hockey fights, Wednesday's matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames was just for you.

The Red Wings won the lopsided affair 8-2 at Little Caesars Arena.

One of the biggest dustups began when Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk and Red Wings right wing Luke Witkowski were skating off of the ice. Witkowski stepped up into his box and Tkachuk slashed the back of his leg with his stick.

Witkowski then returned to the ice from the box and got into a shoving match with Tkachuk and some of his Flames teammates.

A huge melee ensued, involving many big name players and even the referee. Several players were shown throwing punches at each other, likely leading to discipline from the National Hockey League.

"Going to the bench, turns back and chirps our whole bench and didn't want to go anywhere," Tkachuk said after the game, according to Postmedia. "So just went over there just to give him a little poke just to get out of here. He was looking for an excuse to come back."

The box score included 26 penalties, with 20 coming in the final period. Witkowski received four penalties, while Tkachuk earned two disciplines for his third period efforts. Four players were kicked off the ice with 5:56 remaining in the game and 14 penalties were called during the fight. Witkowski and defenseman Brett Kulak were at the center of the scuffle.

"We're feeling good," Witkowski said after the game, according to the Red Wings website. "I like to call that OTH. 'Old time hockey.' I think it's good for the fans. Leave it on the ice. Guys were happy obviously with the win, how many goals we had and the emotions on the ice."

The Red Wings and Flames do not meet again this season.