Capitals Defenseman John Erskine Accidentally Punches Linesman in Chin; Drops Colton Orr in Spirited Fight (GIFs)

Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine was going to fight regardless of who got in his way on Friday night.

Erskine was a man on a mission, wanting to drop the gloves first with Toronto Maple Leafs star Dion Phaneuf, but a linesman had other ideas early in the second period. The unlucky man in black and white attempted to break things up, but as he skated in between the pair, Erskine’s wayward fist connected with the linesman’s chin.

The linesman was noticeably shocked by the contact, but he stayed on his feet and he eventually succeeded in stopping the fight. Erskine was given a double-minor for roughing on the play while Phaneuf was handed down a two-minute minor for roughing.

Don’t feel too bad for Erskine, however, because the D-man finally got his wish to spar as he ferociously took down Colton Orr during the third period.

Check out the linesman getting an unwanted taste of an NHL fight and Erskine taking Orr down in the GIFs below with a stick tap to SB Nation.