Ryan Lomberg fights Nathan Bastian – Image Source: Getty

The Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils met in an intense matchup that saw tensions boil over in a fight between Ryan Lomberg of the Flames and Nathan Bastian of the Devils.

Late in the first period, Lomberg checked Devils forward Paul Cotter hard into the boards. This drew the ire of Bastian, who came to his teammate’s defense and challenged Lomberg to a fight.

Watch the video here:

The two dropped the gloves and exchanged punches, with Lomberg quickly taking control. He unleashed a flurry of powerful left punches directly at Bastian’s head while keeping him pinned against the boards. Bastian could do little to defend himself as Lomberg relentlessly threw left after left, connecting solidly with his face.

The linesmen eventually stepped in to separate them, but not before Lomberg had clearly gotten the better of Bastian in the one-sided tilt. Bastian received an instigator penalty.

It was a dominant show from Lomberg, who used his left hand to great effect as he battered Bastian.

Fans react to Ryan Lomberg’s fight with Nathan Bastian

Hockey fans reacted strongly on social media to the fight between Ryan Lomberg and Nathan Bastian.

Many fans criticized Lomberg for the fight and felt he took it too far.

One fan tweeted,

“70 has some anger issues that need to be addressed. Holy. Doesn’t even fight fair.”

Another fan wrote,

“The Devils player got the instigator penalty. Don’t pick a fight with a fighter, if you’re not ready to go.”

Here are some fan reactions:

“Bastian sought him out. Not sure what else you expect lomberg to do there. It was go time.” one fan wrote on X.

“Lomberg hits a player from behind into the boards that’s already on the ground. Then doesn’t even line up fair to fight for his actions. And the Devils never get a powerplay for the dirty hit. Sounds about as fair as officiating gets” another fan wrote.

“WHAT WAS GOING ON THAT FORCED LOMBY TO DO THAT? The hit wasn’t that egregious on its own I think. I might be missing something though….” a user commented.

“THATS Stanley Cup Champion Ryan Lomberg to you” another user wrote.

At the end of the third period, the Flames lead the game 2-0 against the Devils.