Both the Canadians and Soviets were booted from the world junior hockey championship in 1987 in Piestany, Czechoslovakia following their bench-clearing brawl. (Associated Press/File)
After the Canadian and Mexican entries at the World Baseball Classic tangled over the weekend, we look back at some other testy exchanges between sports teams.
After the Canadian and Mexican entries at the World Baseball Classic tangled over the weekend (and even drew the attention of Don Cherry on Coach's Corner) it's only fitting to look back at some other testy exchanges between sports teams.
Here are a few of those moments when tempers flared and emotions got the better of athletes: Knicks vs. Heat (vs. Jeff Van Gundy) April 30, 1998 Who was involved: Heat centre Alonzo Mourning and Knicks power forward Larry Johnson, and coach Jeff Van Gundy
What sparked it: The last rebound of the game pitted former Charlotte Hornets teammates against one another, which lead to a few punches thrown, and got the Knicks bench boss involved:
The fallout: Mourning and Johnson were both suspended two games and fined.
Robin Ventura vs. Nolan Ryan Aug. 4, 1993
Who was involved: Chicago's Ventura, Texas Rangers pitcher Ryan
What sparked it: After Ryan plunked the White Sox batter in the back, Ventura charged the mound, but didn't exactly get the better of a man 20 years his senior. Ryan snared him with a head lock and landed a good six punches to his head.
The Rangers pitcher said the headlock was the same move he employed when he learned how to rope calfs.
The fallout: Ventura was ejected, but Ryan remained in the game, and shut out the White Sox the rest of the way.
(Editor's note: Normally a "don't try this at home" warning goes without saying, but it seems these kids have their Ventura vs. Ryan skit down pat.)
Malice at the Palace Nov. 19, 2004
Who was involved: The Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and some fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills
What sparked it: After Wallace took exception to Artest's rebounding style, the Pistons' big man shoved Artest, drawing a crowd, before fans also got into it:
The fallout: Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season and playoffs, which amounted to 86 games in total. Stephen Jackson (30 games), Jermaine O'Neal (15 games), Wallace (6 games) and Anthony Johnson (5 games) rounded out the longest of the suspensions.
All of these players also plead no contest to criminal charges of assault and battery, and were sentenced to a year of probation, a small fine, and community service. The fans involved were barred from any future events at the arena. The Punch-up in Piestany Jan. 4, 1987
Who was involved: The 1987 Canadian and Soviet world junior hockey teams
What sparked it: With Canada leading 4-2 in the second period, an already chippy game devolved into a line brawl, and eventually to the benches emptying.
The officials left the ice after failing to break up the brawling, and organizers even turned off the lights inside the arena to halt the fighting, with little success:
Justin PiercyOriginally from Fredericton, NB, Justin has worked in newsrooms for Astral Media Radio, Brunswick News Inc., the Toronto Star and CTV. But now he's here at CBCSports.ca to report on the sports you care about while also showing you stuff from the internet he thinks you might like.
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Both the Canadians and Soviets were booted from the world junior hockey championship in 1987 in Piestany, Czechoslovakia following their bench-clearing brawl. (Associated Press/File)
Justin Piercy
Originally from Fredericton, NB, Justin has worked in newsrooms for Astral Media Radio, Brunswick News Inc., the Toronto Star and CTV. But now he's here at CBCSports.ca to report on the sports you care about while also showing you stuff from the internet he thinks you might like.
