Kings' Copley ejected for blocker punches as goalie fight nearly erupts

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Goaltender Pheonix Copley #29 of the Los Angeles Kings and goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks exchange words as Copley leaves the ice after a scrum during the second period of the game at Honda Center on February 17, 2023 in Anaheim, California. Copley was assessed a match penalty for the play.

Debora Robinson / National Hockey League / Getty

Los Angeles Kings goalie Pheonix Copley was handed a match penalty against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday for throwing blocker punches during a scrum.

Things are getting WILD between the Kings and Ducks and Pheonix Copley is at the center of the action#GoKingsGo | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/Wjl1i5zoHP
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 18, 2023

Ducks netminder John Gibson skated out to center ice in anticipation of a goalie fight, but the officials put a stop to it.

We really almost had a goalie fight. 😳 pic.twitter.com/zwggXKUchE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 18, 2023

Copley has come out of nowhere to become Los Angeles' No. 1 goaltender this season. The 31-year-old journeyman had just 31 NHL games under his belt entering the campaign, but entered Friday with a 17-3-1 record and a .903 save percentage this season.