Late in the second period, the Flyers first-round pick and Bruins forward David Krejci decided to drop the gloves.
The crowd at Wells Fargo Center was in a frenzy during, and after, the fight. Patrick’s fight was a coronation of sorts into the organization.
It is uncommon these days for a top pick like Patrick to be fighting in the preseason. Patrick seems to have locked up a spot in the Flyers opening-night lineup; and with the preseason dwindling down, most players hope to escape without an injury. Someone in Patrick’s position typically has an enforcer back them up. Connor McDavid hasn’t fought at the NHL level and neither has Auston Mathews, but then again they don’t play for the Flyers, a team still linked to the 1970’s edition Broad Street Bullies.
Patrick even received a nod of approval from Flyers captain Claude Giroux.
Krejci scored the Bruins lone goal, but Patrick and the Flyers won the game, 5-1. Patrick has three assists in six games for Philadelphia in the preseason.
