Thompson of Sabres Settles Scores with Devils’ Noesen After Controversy

Tage Thompson and Stefan Noesen Settle Differences on the Ice

Sabres forward Tage Thompson settled any lingering differences with Stefan Noesen by dropping the gloves with the New Jersey Devils player on the ice Friday. The fight occurred 2 and a half minutes into the game between Buffalo and New Jersey, about nine months after Noesen elbowed Thompson in the head.

This was the first meeting between both teams since Buffalo’s 4-3 victory on February 2nd.

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Tage Thompson and Stefan Noesen drop the gloves 🥊 pic.twitter.com/lUeW4vQ6rF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 17, 2023

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When the teams lined up for a faceoff in the Buffalo zone at 2 and a half minutes, Thompson and Noesen dropped their gloves and exchanged numerous blows in a fight that lasted about 30 seconds. It ended with Noesen falling to the ice and the crowd cheering for Thompson. Both players received major penalties of over five minutes for fighting. Noesen’s hit on Thompson in February became a sensitive issue for several reasons, starting with how it happened. Thompson went for the puck in the Devils’ blue line when Noesen pushed him away and continued charging towards the Buffalo forward, hitting him with his elbow. Noesen’s hit spun Thompson around, knocking off his helmet and sending him face-first into the ice. Noesen was ejected after receiving a penalty per game, but received no further discipline from the NHL.

Meanwhile, Sabres players were questioned for not defending their teammate. While Thompson was out for a game, his teammates held a meeting to address their lack of response.

We spent time on this topic last year. That topic is really behind me.

Lindy Ruff, Sabres coach

Before the game, when he was reminded of what happened, Ruff added: “I think the way our team has handled every situation really from that point on, we learned a hard lesson.”