Zegras Has Choice Words For Former Capital Beagle After Controversial Fight

Anaheim Ducks star forward Trevor Zegras had choice words for Arizona Coyotes forward and former Washington Capitals fan favorite Jay Beagle following a controversial fight near the end of Anaheim’s dominant win over the Coyotes on Friday.

With just around five minutes remaining in regulation and the Ducks leading 5-0, Zegras crashed the crease looking for a loose puck in front. Beagle, who was traded to Arizona over the offseason from the Vancouver Canucks as part of the blockbuster deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, cross-checked Zegras from behind out of apparent frustration.

Troy Terry then came over to Beagle to defend his teammate and found himself in the midst of a fight. It didn’t appear that Terry wanted to fight and didn’t drop the gloves. However, Beagle did, and landed a few punches and bloodied Terry in the midst of the scrum. Terry then fell to the ice as a brawl broke out between both clubs.

Beagle received a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking, a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct. Terry received a two-minute roughing minor on the play.

This is the altercation Trevor Zegras is referencing. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EyOdn35bMU

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 2, 2022

Zegras had choice words for No. 83 following the Ducks’ victory and wants the league to discipline Beagle for his actions.

“Our best player our leading goal scorer one of the best players in my opinion in the whole league takes a shot. I take a shot he comes in to help me. I’m not going to name the player. I get that he’s going to punch him maybe once, but the fact that he’s down and not engaged in a fight, and you’re gonna hit him three more times? I think it’s embarrassing, I think he should be embarrassed,” Zegras told reporters after the game, per PHNX Coyotes.

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“I’m not going to comment any further on whether or not he should have even been able to get to Troy while he was on the ice,” he added. “But I’m embarrassed that he even got that far. I appreciate Troy sticking up for me because I think that’s a nonsense cross-check with two minutes left in a 5-0 game. I’m embarrassed for whoever that was. I’m not going to say his name. I think the league should step in here and do something about it.”

Terry leads the Ducks with 31 goals and 26 assists this season. Meanwhile, Zegras had pulled off the “Michigan” for the second time this season, adding to his impressive highlight reel, and he now has 17 goals on the season. Through 25 games, Beagle has one goal for the Yotes this season.

When it comes to the play that led to the fight, Zegras said the puck was loose in front and understood if he took a shot from behind for going after it. However, he believes Terry should not have been targeted.

“I get you’re going to hit me in the back. But you don’t punch a guy when he’s down. Especially a 32-goal scorer in the NHL who’s a superstar,” Zegras said of Terry. “I think it’s embarrassing, I think it’s a bad look for the league. And for the player that did it, it’s humiliating and I think he should be f–ing punished,” Zegras said.

Per PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan, the NHL Department of Player Safety will not take further disciplinary action against Beagle. Nick Ritchie, however, will have a hearing for cross-checking Kevin Shattenkirk in Arizona’s loss.